Note: Manipulation of supersonic atomic beams with static magnetic fields.

The inhomogeneous magnetic field of a permanent-magnet planar Halbach array is used to either deflect or to specularly reflect a supersonic beam of neutral atoms. Metastable neon and helium beams are tested to experimentally evaluate the performance of this array in a range of configurations. Results are compared with numerical simulations and the device is presented as a high precision tool for the manipulation of neutral atom beams.

Nanoscale imaging of neutral atoms with a pulsed magnetic lens.

We present a scheme for imaging of neutral atoms to the nanoscale with a pulsed magnetic lens and show its viability through numerical calculations. This scheme achieves focal lengths on the order of several centimeters and focal spots of less than 10 nm. With these results, it is possible to create sub-10 nm structures on surfaces in a parallel and time-efficient manner. When used with metastable noble gas atoms, and in combination with electron spectroscopy, this scheme can create a chemically sensitive microscope which can probe surfaces on the nanometer scale.