Control of a Bose–Einstein condensate on a chip by external optical and magnetic potentials

In this paper we explore the possibilities of control of a Bose–Einstein condensate on an atom chip by the use of potentials generated by photonic and magnetic components. We show that the fields produced by both types of components can be modelled by a generic exponential potential and derive analytic expressions that allow for an easy assessment of their impact on a trapped condensate. Using dynamical numerical simulations we study the transport of the condensate between the control structures on a chip. We study in detail different regimes of the condensate behaviour in an evanescent light potential generated by a photonic structure in the vicinity of the condensate and in magnetic potentials generated by a wire or a coil. The calculations are based on the reported parameters of atom chip setups and available photonic and magnetic components. Finally, the model is verified by an experiment with a condensate on an atom chip and a coil. ► Generic potential used to describe both the optical evanescent and magnetic fields. ► An analytic closed form solution found for the impact of a generic potential on a BEC. ► BEC dynamics calculated for potential time sequences attainable in experiments. ► Conditions for BEC transfer by an external field identified. ► Exponential-potential model validated by a BEC-on-chip experiment.