Asymmetrical two-dimensional magnetic lattices for ultracold atoms

A simple method for implementing an asymmetrical two-dimensional magnetic lattice is proposed. The asymmetrical two-dimensional magnetic lattice is created by periodically distributing nonzero magnetic minima across the surface of a magnetic thin film, where the magnetic patterns are formed by milling n×n square holes on the surface of the film. The method is proposed for trapping and confining quantum degenerate gases, such as Bose-Einstein condensates and ultracold Fermi gases, prepared in low-magnetic-field-seeking states. Analytical expressions and numerical simulation results of the magnetic local minima are shown where we analyze the effect of changing the magnetic lattice parameters, such as the separation of the holes, the hole size, and external bias magnetic fields, to maintain and locate the nonzero local minima at a suitable distance above the film surface to avoid the effect of Majorana spin flips and the Casimir-Polder potential. ©2010 The American Physical Society