Quantum propagation of neutral atoms in a magnetic quadrupole guide - art.no. 033614

We consider the quantized motion of neutral atoms at very low temperature i n a two-dimensional magnetic quadrupole structure formed, for example, by f our current-carrying wires along the z direction. The magnetic field B in t he guide is proportional to the vector (x,-y) We show that this held can be used to make a single-mode atomic de Broglie waveguide which has bound sta tes of low angular momentum, even though the field at the center of the gui de goes to zero. We investigate the spectrum and decay rate of the transver se modes for spin-1/2 and spin-1 atoms.