A neutral atom and a wire: towards mesoscopic atom optics

A large variety of trapping and guiding potentials can be designed by bringing cold atoms close to charged or current-carrying material objects. Using a current-carrying wire we demonstrate how to build guides and traps for neutral atoms and using a charged wire we study a 1/r ² singularity. The simplicity and versatility of the principles demonstrated in our experiments will allow for miniaturization and integration of atom optical elements into matter-wave quantum circuits. Received: 13 December 1998 / Revised version: 8 July 1999 / Published online: 8 September 1999