Inductively coupled superconducting half wavelength resonators as persistent current traps for ultracold atoms

Abstract: A crucial point in the experimental implementation of hybrid quantum systems consisting of superconducting circuits and atomic ensembles is bringing the two partners close enough to each other that a strong quantum coherent coupling can be established. Here, we propose to use the metallization structures of a half wavelength superconducting coplanar waveguide resonator as a persistent current trap for ultracold paramagnetic atoms. Trapping atoms with the resonator structure itself is provided by using short-ended and inductively coupled resonators instead of capacitively coupled ones as customary in circuit quantum electrodynamics.We analyze the external quality factor of short-ended coplanar waveguide resonators and show that it can be easily designed for the desired regime of quantum circuits. The magnetic field configuration at the resonator is calculated by means of numerical three-dimensional simulations of the London equations. We present a way to transport an atomic ensemble into the coplanar resonator gap where the magnetic field of the cavity mode is maximum. The configuration allows stable trapping by persistent currents and paves the route towards strong coupling between atomic clouds and the cavity mode which is required for cooperative effects and gives the interface between atoms and circuit quantum electrodynamics.