Abstract
We describe an experiment in which Bose-Einstein condensates and cold atom clouds are held by a microscopic magnetic trap near a room-temperature metal wire in diameter. The lifetime for atoms to remain in the microtrap is measured over a range of distances down to from the surface of the metal. We observe the loss of atoms from the microtrap due to spin flips. These are induced by radio-frequency thermal fluctuations of the magnetic field near the surface, as predicted but not previously observed.
- Received 17 January 2003
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.91.080401
©2003 American Physical Society