Magnetic Trapping of Neutral Particles: A Study of a Physically Realistic Model

We study, both classically and quantum-mechanically, the problem of a neutral particle with spin S, mass m and magnetic moment mue, moving in two-dimensions in an inhomogeneous magnetic field given by B_x=B'*x; B_y=-B'*y; B_z=B; We identify K, the ratio between the precessional frequency of the particle and its vibration frequency, as the relevant parameter of the problem. Classicaly, we find that when the magnetic moment is antiparallel to B, the particle is trapped provided that K<sqrt{4/27}. We also find that viscous friction, be it translational or precessional, destabilizes the system. Quantum-mechanically, we study the problem of spin S=h_bar/2 particle in the same field. Treating K as a small parameter for the perturbation from the adiabatic Hamiltonian, we find that the lifetime T_esc of the particle in its trapped ground-state is T_esc={T_vib}/{128 pi^2} * exp{2/K} where T_vib is the classical period of the particle when placed in the adiabatic potential V=mue *|B(x,y)|