title: Magneto-optical trapping and background-free imaging for atoms near nanostructured surfaces.
abstract: We demonstrate a combined magneto-optical trap and imaging system that is suitable for the investigation of cold atoms near surfaces. In particular, we are able to trap atoms close to optically scattering surfaces and to image them with an excellent signal-to-noise ratio. We also demonstrate a simple magneto-optical atom cloud launching method. We anticipate that this system will be useful for a range of experimental studies of novel atom-surface interactions and atom trap miniaturization. .
authors.affiliation: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom. hamid.ohadi@soton.ac.uk
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohadi
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Himsworth
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Xuereb
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Freegarde
mesh_terms: D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D008280:Magnetics / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D052898:Optical Tweezers; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity