Towards a 2D degenerate quantum gas

Abstract

Summary form only given. We present a new mechanism for reaching quantum degeneracy of a 2D bosonic atomic gas. We use the dipole force created by two evanescent waves of different colors to confine /sup 87/Rb atoms in a quasi 2D geometry. The Morse like resulting potential has a depth on the order of 100 /spl mu/K. We also present a loading mechanism for this trap, taking advantage of the potential profiles of different Zeeman sublevels.