Loss and heating of particles in small and noisy traps

Abstract

We derive the life time and loss rate for a trapped particle that is coupled to fluctuating fields in the vicinity of a room-temperature metallic and/or dielectric surface. Our results indicate a clear predominance of near field effects over ordinary blackbody radiation. We develop a theoretical framework for both charged and neutral particles with and without spin. Loss processes that are due to a transition to an untrapped internal state are included.