A hexapole magnetic guide for neutral atomic beams

In this paper we present a multiple element magnetic device to guide atoms using a spatially inhomogeneous magnetic field formed by a series of permanent hexapole magnets. The operation of the device is demonstrated using an enhanced beam of neon atoms in the (3)P(2) metastable state. These atoms are guided around a bend of 30 degrees from their original path. A flux of 4.35x10(9)+/- 2x10(7) atoms s(-1) was measured after the device yielding a transmission efficiency of approximately 9% of the input flux. Simulations of the center of mass motion of the atoms through the magnetic guide have been performed giving reasonable agreement with the experimental results.