Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:2504.18512 · New Journal of Physics

Atoms in hollow-core fibers: a QED approach

Thomas W. Clark, Luca Vincetti, P. Domokos

Published Nov 1, 2025• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Abstract We outline mechanical effects of light–matter interaction inside hollow-core optical fibers. Starting with quantized electromagnetic radiation, we demonstrate how dispersion, mode functions and losses define an open quantum system and how subsequent Langevin equations can be used to predict spatially-dependent vacuum forces. Conceptually, we reveal new, geometry-induced, forces that have no equivalence in unbounded 3D space and, practically, show how the general spatial dependence can be greatly approximated by free-space Ince–Gaussian modes: such that the forces can be described analytically. By also considering the effects of drive and fluctuations, we provide an extensive overview of both control and cooling within the limitations of a two-level atomic system.

DOI
10.1088/1367-2630/ae1b34

Related papers

Loading Dynamics of Cold Atoms into a Hollow-Core Photonic Crystal Fiber

Yu Wang, Shijie Chai, Mingjie Xin +3 more

Cold atoms trapped and guided in hollow-core photonic crystal fibers provide a scalable diffraction-free setting for atom–light interactions for quantum technologies. However, due to the mismatch of the depth and spatial extension of the trapping potential from free space to the fiber, the number of cold atoms in the fiber is mainly determined by the loading process from free space to waveguide confinement. Here, we provide a numerical study of the loading dynamics of cold atoms into a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. We use the Monte Carlo method to simulate the trajectories of an ensemble of cold atoms from free space trapping potential to optical potential inside a hollow-core fiber and calculate the temperature, loading efficiency, and geometry of the ensemble. We also study the noise sources that cause heating and a loss of atoms during the process. Our result could be used to design and optimize the loading process of cold atoms into a hollow-core fiber for cold atom experiments.

Fibers•May 1, 2020•7 citations

Guiding of metastable neon atoms in hollow-core optical fibers

G. Workurka, Jochen Keupp, K. Sengstock

Summary form only given.For a deBroglie wavelength of sufficiently cold atoms exceeding the dimensions of the hollow diameter, the propagation of quantized atomic modes like optical modes in conventional light fibers is expected. Hollow-core optical fibers therefore offer interesting perspectives for miniaturized atom optical devices. We believe we report on the first guiding of metastable rare-gas atoms inside fibers by means of dipole forces.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Nov 27, 2002•1 citation

Strong optical nonlinearities in hollow-core photonic-crystal fibers loaded with ensembles of cold atoms

Taehyun Yoon, Jeremy Flannery, Michal Bajcsy

Our goal is to study quantum optical phenomena in a strong nonlinear optical system. For this purpose, we create a hollow-core photonic-crystal (HCPC) fiber-based platform that confines photons and atomic ensembles together. This enables strong light-matter interactions which are crucial for implementing optical nonlinearities at single-photon levels [1]. We use an optical dipole trap at cesium's magic wavelength to guide laser cooled cesium atoms into and inside the fiber core. This approach will allow us to perform experiments with the dipole trap continuously on as opposed to the previously reported fiber-loading systems [2,3] in which the dipole trap was rapidly amplitude-modulated to avoid the effect from the spatially dependent AC Stark shift. In this system, we perform experiments on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and demonstrate slow light and all optical switch. We also aim to observe large cross-phase modulation (XPM) using a three-level ladder scheme [4,5]. Lastly, the approaches to integrate a cavity into HCPCFs to increase light-matter interactions, thus the optical nonlinearities, will be described.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics Pacific Rim (CLEO-PR)•Jul 1, 2017•0 citations

Spectroscopy of Rb atoms in hollow-core fibers

Aaron D. Slepkov, Amar R. Bhagwat, Vivek Venkataraman +2 more

Recent demonstrations of light-matter interactions with atoms and molecules confined to hollow waveguides offer great promise for ultralow-light-level applications. The use of waveguides allows for tight optical confinement over interaction lengths much greater than what could be achieved in bulk geometries. However, the combination of strong atom-photon interactions and nonuniformity of guided light modes gives rise to spectroscopic features that must be understood in order to take full advantage of the properties of such systems. We use light-induced atomic desorption to generate an optically dense Rb vapor at room temperature inside a hollow-core photonic band-gap fiber. Saturable-absorption spectroscopy and passive slow-light experiments reveal large ac Stark shifts, power broadening, and transit-time broadening, that are present in this system even at nanowatt powers.

Physical Review A•May 18, 2010•62 citations

The Casimir-Polder interaction between atoms and hollow-core fibers

Bettina Beverungen, Daniel Reiche, Kurt Busch +1 more

The Casimir-Polder force acts on polarizable particles due to quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field that are modified by the presence of material bodies. We investigate the Casimir-Polder interaction for atoms near cylindrical fibers with hollow cores. This geometry represents one of the archetypal configurations encountered in numerous experimental setups designed to control and manipulate atoms in fundamental and quantum technological applications. Specifically, we analyze how the interplay of both geometrical and material-related length scales characterize the interaction, emphasizing the impact of the shell thickness. We develop a flexible and fast-converging numerical scheme for evaluating the interaction over a wide range of atom-cylinder separations at both zero and finite temperature. Furthermore, we provide a detailed analytical investigation of how various material properties modify the Casimir-Polder potential. Finally, we analyze and discuss a number of limiting cases and compare numerical computations with corresponding analytical asymptotic expressions. In particular, in this geometry the Casimir-Polder potential is able to distinguish between an ohmic and non-ohmic description of conductors. One of the most significant outcomes of our work is that the shell thickness emerges as a useful parameter for controlling the interaction, opening avenues for both fundamental physics and applications in quantum technologies.

quant-pharXiv:2512.11603•Dec 15, 2025

Laser-cooled Atomic Ensembles in Hollow Optical Fibers

Sai Sreesh Venuturumilli

This thesis explores hollow-core fibres as a platform for quantum optics experiments with laser-cooled atomic ensembles. The non-diffracting, tightly-confined guided modes of these fibers grant us a ~µm-wide one-dimensional space to study atom-light interactions. In order to describe on-going experiments, simulations are carried out to understand atomic motion into the hollow fibers. Following which, a preliminary case study of a quantum optics experiment to convert wavelengths of single photons with Cs atomic ensembles inside the hollow fiber is presented. Lastly, basic optical properties of photonic crystal membranes are briefly explored. These can form novel cavities when appended to hollow fibers.

•May 6, 2021•0 citations
Abstract We outline mechanical effects of light–matter interaction inside hollow-core optical fibers. Starting with quantized electromagnetic radiation, we demonstrate how dispersion, mode functions and losses define an open quantum system and how subsequent Langevin equations can be used to predict spatially-dependent vacuum forces. Conceptually, we reveal new, geometry-induced, forces that have no equivalence in unbounded 3D space and, practically, show how the general spatial dependence can be greatly approximated by free-space Ince–Gaussian modes: such that the forces can be described analytically. By also considering the effects of drive and fluctuations, we provide an extensive overview of both control and cooling within the limitations of a two-level atomic system.
Cold atoms trapped and guided in hollow-core photonic crystal fibers provide a scalable diffraction-free setting for atom–light interactions for quantum technologies. However, due to the mismatch of the depth and spatial extension of the trapping potential from free space to the fiber, the number of cold atoms in the fiber is mainly determined by the loading process from free space to waveguide confinement. Here, we provide a numerical study of the loading dynamics of cold atoms into a hollow-core photonic crystal fiber. We use the Monte Carlo method to simulate the trajectories of an ensemble of cold atoms from free space trapping potential to optical potential inside a hollow-core fiber and calculate the temperature, loading efficiency, and geometry of the ensemble. We also study the noise sources that cause heating and a loss of atoms during the process. Our result could be used to design and optimize the loading process of cold atoms into a hollow-core fiber for cold atom experiments.
Our goal is to study quantum optical phenomena in a strong nonlinear optical system. For this purpose, we create a hollow-core photonic-crystal (HCPC) fiber-based platform that confines photons and atomic ensembles together. This enables strong light-matter interactions which are crucial for implementing optical nonlinearities at single-photon levels [1]. We use an optical dipole trap at cesium's magic wavelength to guide laser cooled cesium atoms into and inside the fiber core. This approach will allow us to perform experiments with the dipole trap continuously on as opposed to the previously reported fiber-loading systems [2,3] in which the dipole trap was rapidly amplitude-modulated to avoid the effect from the spatially dependent AC Stark shift. In this system, we perform experiments on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) and demonstrate slow light and all optical switch. We also aim to observe large cross-phase modulation (XPM) using a three-level ladder scheme [4,5]. Lastly, the approaches to integrate a cavity into HCPCFs to increase light-matter interactions, thus the optical nonlinearities, will be described.
Recent demonstrations of light-matter interactions with atoms and molecules confined to hollow waveguides offer great promise for ultralow-light-level applications. The use of waveguides allows for tight optical confinement over interaction lengths much greater than what could be achieved in bulk geometries. However, the combination of strong atom-photon interactions and nonuniformity of guided light modes gives rise to spectroscopic features that must be understood in order to take full advantage of the properties of such systems. We use light-induced atomic desorption to generate an optically dense Rb vapor at room temperature inside a hollow-core photonic band-gap fiber. Saturable-absorption spectroscopy and passive slow-light experiments reveal large ac Stark shifts, power broadening, and transit-time broadening, that are present in this system even at nanowatt powers.
The Casimir-Polder force acts on polarizable particles due to quantum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field that are modified by the presence of material bodies. We investigate the Casimir-Polder interaction for atoms near cylindrical fibers with hollow cores. This geometry represents one of the archetypal configurations encountered in numerous experimental setups designed to control and manipulate atoms in fundamental and quantum technological applications. Specifically, we analyze how the interplay of both geometrical and material-related length scales characterize the interaction, emphasizing the impact of the shell thickness. We develop a flexible and fast-converging numerical scheme for evaluating the interaction over a wide range of atom-cylinder separations at both zero and finite temperature. Furthermore, we provide a detailed analytical investigation of how various material properties modify the Casimir-Polder potential. Finally, we analyze and discuss a number of limiting cases and compare numerical computations with corresponding analytical asymptotic expressions. In particular, in this geometry the Casimir-Polder potential is able to distinguish between an ohmic and non-ohmic description of conductors. One of the most significant outcomes of our work is that the shell thickness emerges as a useful parameter for controlling the interaction, opening avenues for both fundamental physics and applications in quantum technologies.
This thesis explores hollow-core fibres as a platform for quantum optics experiments with laser-cooled atomic ensembles. The non-diffracting, tightly-confined guided modes of these fibers grant us a ~µm-wide one-dimensional space to study atom-light interactions. In order to describe on-going experiments, simulations are carried out to understand atomic motion into the hollow fibers. Following which, a preliminary case study of a quantum optics experiment to convert wavelengths of single photons with Cs atomic ensembles inside the hollow fiber is presented. Lastly, basic optical properties of photonic crystal membranes are briefly explored. These can form novel cavities when appended to hollow fibers.