Long Distance Transport of Ultracold Atoms using a 1D optical lattice

We study the horizontal transport of ultracold atoms over macroscopic distances of up to 20 cm with a moving 1D optical lattice. By using an optical Bessel beam to form the optical lattice, we can achieve almost homogeneous trapping conditions over the full transport length, which is necessary to hold the atoms against gravity for such a wide range. Fast transport velocities of up to 6m/s (corresponding to about 1100 photon recoils) and accelerations of up to 2600m/s are reached. Even at high velocities the momentum of the atoms is precisely defined with an uncertainty of less than one photon recoil. This allows for construction of an atom catapult with high kinetic energy resolution, which might have applications in novel collision experiments.