Bose-Einstein Condensates in Magnetic Waveguides

In this article, we describe an experimental system for generating Bose-Einstein condensates and controlling the shape and motion of the condensate by using miniaturised magnetic potentials. In particular, we describe the magnetic trap setup, the vacuum system, the use of dispenser sources for loading a high number of atoms into the magneto-optical trap, the magnetic transfer of atoms into the microtrap, and the experimental cycle for generating Bose-Einstein condensates. We present first results on outcoupling of condensates into a magnetic waveguide and discuss influences of the trap surface on the ultracold ensembles.