Transport of cold atoms in a miniature guide

We have developed a waveguide for atoms based on magnetic confinement withi n a hollow glass fibre. Weak-field-seeking atoms are transported along a ce ntral hole and are prevented from hitting the wall by the magnetic field du e to four current-carrying wires embedded in the fibre. A 'pinch' coil woun d around the fibre plugs the guide at one end with a magnetic field strong enough to reflect the weak-field-seeking atoms. We have demonstrated that a ll the positive m(F) sublevels of the Rb-85 F = 3 ground state are guided a nd have made a movie of the atom dynamics.