Comparison of time profiles for the magnetic transport of cold atoms

Abstract

We have compared different time profiles for the trajectory of the centre of a quadrupole magnetic trap designed for the transport of cold sodium atoms. Our experimental observations show that a smooth profile characterized by an analytical expression involving the error function minimizes the transport duration while limiting atom losses and heating of the trapped gas. Using numerical calculations of single atom classical trajectories within the trap, we show that this observation can be qualitatively interpreted as a trade-off between two types of losses: finite depth of the confinement and Majorana spin flips.