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Physical Review A

Schrödinger modal structure of cubical, pyramidal, and conical, evanescent light-wave gravitational atom traps

Jonathan P. Dowling, Julio R. Gea-Banacloche

Published Nov 1, 1995• 12 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We investigate the modal structure of Schr"odinger's equation in several evanescent light-wave gravitational traps. Three configurations are proposed that optically confine an atom inside an atom-mirror cavity: a cubical, a pyramidal, and a conical gravitational trap.
DOI
10.1103/physreva.52.3997

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Summary form only given. Electromagnetic fields have been used extensively to manipulate and control atoms. Intersecting light beams are used to create standing waves that act as an optical lattice potential. Evanescent fields at a surface can be used as a mirror to reflect atoms scattering on the surface. Atoms can propagate inside a hollow core fiber provided that an evanescent surface field keeps the atoms away from the inner wall. These fields are used to move and locate atoms so that they can interact, interfere, and entangle. We have been examining the two color scheme with realistic integrated optical waveguide structures. In this presentation, we show that two-dimensional and three-dimensional trapping configurations can be achieved for real waveguide structures. We discuss the design features that must be addressed to implement optical structures for use in atom optics.