Propagation of Ultra Cold Atoms Through Bends

Michael Bromley
Kansas State University
05 November 2003

Recent experimental progress in atomic physics include the success of magnetic microtraps, the so-called 'atom chips', where using combinations of magnetic fields and wires layed on silica substrates (or permament magnets ala videotape) atom traps, guides and devices all on a single chip are now becoming possible.

This talk will focus on the properties of low-density, low-energy matter waves propagating through circular waveguide bends, examined through the complementary eyes of time-independent and time-dependent quantum mechanical calculations. Whilst it is one of the simplest atom optical devices, the waveguide bend yields a surprising array of fundamental atomic physics.