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Trapping of neutral cold atoms in miniaturized surface-mounted magnetic traps (atom chips) is fundamentally limited by atom surface (Casimir-Polder) forces and losses of trapped atoms due to electromagnetic noise. Theoretical studies of magnetic dipoles trapped clear a metallic or superconducting surface show how the details of charge transport and dissipation in the surface result in characteristic signatures in the trapping lifetime and in the surface-atom interaction. Precise knowledge of these effects is necessary for the design of atom-chips experiments. From another point of view, the same phenomena open a window to both atomic physics and material science on the meso- and microscale, and might even shine new light on unresolved problems in the Casimir effect between macroscopic bodies. Host: Gennady Berman, T-4: PHYS OF CONDENSED MATTER & COMPLEX SYSTEMS, gpb@lanl.gov |