Double-impulse magnetic focusing of launched cold atoms

We have theoretically investigated 3D focusing of a launched cloud of cold atoms using a pair of magnetic lens pulses (the alternate-gradient method). Individual lenses focus radially and defocus axially or vice-versa. The performance of the two possible pulse sequences are compared and found to be ideal for loading both ‘pancake’ and ‘sausage’ shaped magnetic/optical microtraps. It is shown that focusing aberrations are considerably smaller for double-impulse magnetic lenses compared to single-impulse magnetic lenses. An analysis of the clouds focused by double-impulse technique is presented. PACS numbers: 32.80.Pj, 42.50.Vk