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

Physical Review Letters

Observation of a strong rectified dipole force in a bichromatic standing light wave

Rudolf Grimm, Yu. B. Ovchinnikov, A. I. Sidorov, Vladilen S Letokhov

Published Sep 17, 1990• 89 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report on the observation of a strong optical dipole force which is exerted on atoms in a bichromatic standing light wave as a result of nonlinear wave-mixing processes. This force can substantially exceed the upper limit of the spontaneous light force and, in contrast to the dipole force in monochromatic standing-wave fields, acts with constant sign on a macroscopic spatial scale.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.65.1415

Related papers

Behaviour of the friction force in a bichromatic standing light wave

Yu. B. Ovchinnikov, A. I. Sidorov, Rudolf Grimm +1 more

The authors report experimental results demonstrating that the friction force acting on atoms in a bichromatic standing light wave can substantially differ from that in a monochromatic standing wave. Even a sign reversal can occur in a laser frequency range depending on the spatial phaseshift between the two standing wave components.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Nov 28, 1991•3 citations

Observation of rectified forces in a three level cascade system

Timothy T. Grove, B C Duncan, V. Sánchez-Villicaña +1 more

Rectified dipole forces1 offer the possibility of providing deep potential wells for neutral atoms. In the intense standing wave, a two-level atom can experience a large dipole force due to the large intensity gradient. However, this force changes sign on the optical wavelength scale, preventing the formation of deep potential wells. If a second, nearly commensurate, standing wave is added, its ac Stark shift causes the effective detuning of the first field to vary on the optical wavelength scale. The resulting change in sign of the detuning can counteract the change in sign of the intensity gradient, causing the force to maintain its sign over many wavelengths (i.e., the force becomes rectified), thereby forming a deep potential well. This rectified force is periodic with the beat wavelength between the two laser fields. In a three-level atom the same basic mechanism applies, but with the advantage that the two frequencies of the bichromatic standing wave can now be tuned dose to resonance with the two transitions of the atom.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•May 22, 1995•0 citations

Rectification of the gradient force acting on a three-level atom in a bichromatic standing light wave

A. I. Sidorov, Rudolf Grimm, Vladilen S Letokhov

This paper presents the results of studies into the spatial behaviour of the gradient force acting on a three-level Lambda -atom in a two-frequency standing light wave. The effect of spatially inhomogeneous optical pumping and light-induced level shifts results in the wavelength-averaged force becoming other than zero. The magnitude of the rectified force is comparable with that of the gradient force in a single-frequency standing light wave.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Sep 14, 1991•15 citations

Optical forces on atoms in nonmonochromatic light

M. Cashen, H. Metcalf

We have recently begun to explore the very strong optical forces that can be exerted on atoms by polychromatic light. Unlike the radiative force that is limited to be less than ℏkγ/2 in monochromatic light or the dipole force that alternates on a wavelength scale in a monochromatic standing wave, limiting its utility, these new forces have very attractive features. Not only is their strength far greater than Frad, but also their velocity range is far greater than γ/k, so that beam slowing can be accomplished without Doppler compensation in distances measured in millimeters instead of meters. These forces have been implemented by modulation of a single-frequency laser or by combination of the light of two different single-frequency lasers.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•May 1, 2003•26 citations

Observation of three-level rectified dipole forces acting on trapped atoms

Timothy T. Grove, B. C. Duncan, V. Sánchez-Villicaña +1 more

We have observed rectified dipole forces acting on three-level atoms in the cascade configuration. Laser cooled and trapped rubidium atoms are illuminated with an intense bichromatic standing wave (780 and 776 nm) tuned near resonance with the 5${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5${\mathit{D}}_{5/2}$ transitions. The resulting rectified forces produce periodic potential wells (71-\ensuremath{\mu}m period), which localize the cold atoms. Experimental results are in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. These forces may be useful in atom optics and laser traps.

Physical Review A•Jun 1, 1995•29 citations

Analysis of the Fluctuation of the Rectified Dipole Force Received by a Ladder-Type Three-Level Atom in Bichromatic Standing Waves

Jin Kang

On the previous work of acquiring an unidirectional dipole force over macro-quantitative optical wavelengths by imposing two standing waves of two different frequencies on an atom in the reference[1],the fluctuation of the rectified dipole-force is derived and calculated by means of quantum aggressive theory.The results show that DI from the interaction between atomic dipole's zero-point fluctuation and the gradient of the light field amplitude has great magnitude being the dominant factor of the fluctuation and varies as the space extremely similar with the rectified dipole force;DS from the interaction between the atomic dipole and zero-point vacuum's vibration is so small that it can be neglected.The heating effect of the atom from the fluctuations is harmful for the atom's trapping by means of dipole force.

Acta Sinica Quantum Optica•Jan 1, 2007•0 citations
We report on the observation of a strong optical dipole force which is exerted on atoms in a bichromatic standing light wave as a result of nonlinear wave-mixing processes. This force can substantially exceed the upper limit of the spontaneous light force and, in contrast to the dipole force in monochromatic standing-wave fields, acts with constant sign on a macroscopic spatial scale.
Rectified dipole forces1 offer the possibility of providing deep potential wells for neutral atoms. In the intense standing wave, a two-level atom can experience a large dipole force due to the large intensity gradient. However, this force changes sign on the optical wavelength scale, preventing the formation of deep potential wells. If a second, nearly commensurate, standing wave is added, its ac Stark shift causes the effective detuning of the first field to vary on the optical wavelength scale. The resulting change in sign of the detuning can counteract the change in sign of the intensity gradient, causing the force to maintain its sign over many wavelengths (i.e., the force becomes rectified), thereby forming a deep potential well. This rectified force is periodic with the beat wavelength between the two laser fields. In a three-level atom the same basic mechanism applies, but with the advantage that the two frequencies of the bichromatic standing wave can now be tuned dose to resonance with the two transitions of the atom.
We have recently begun to explore the very strong optical forces that can be exerted on atoms by polychromatic light. Unlike the radiative force that is limited to be less than ℏkγ/2 in monochromatic light or the dipole force that alternates on a wavelength scale in a monochromatic standing wave, limiting its utility, these new forces have very attractive features. Not only is their strength far greater than Frad, but also their velocity range is far greater than γ/k, so that beam slowing can be accomplished without Doppler compensation in distances measured in millimeters instead of meters. These forces have been implemented by modulation of a single-frequency laser or by combination of the light of two different single-frequency lasers.
We have observed rectified dipole forces acting on three-level atoms in the cascade configuration. Laser cooled and trapped rubidium atoms are illuminated with an intense bichromatic standing wave (780 and 776 nm) tuned near resonance with the 5S1/2{\mathit{S}}_{1/2}S1/2​\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5P3/2{\mathit{P}}_{3/2}P3/2​\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5D5/2{\mathit{D}}_{5/2}D5/2​ transitions. The resulting rectified forces produce periodic potential wells (71-\ensuremath{\mu}m period), which localize the cold atoms. Experimental results are in reasonable agreement with theoretical predictions. These forces may be useful in atom optics and laser traps.
On the previous work of acquiring an unidirectional dipole force over macro-quantitative optical wavelengths by imposing two standing waves of two different frequencies on an atom in the reference[1],the fluctuation of the rectified dipole-force is derived and calculated by means of quantum aggressive theory.The results show that DI from the interaction between atomic dipole's zero-point fluctuation and the gradient of the light field amplitude has great magnitude being the dominant factor of the fluctuation and varies as the space extremely similar with the rectified dipole force;DS from the interaction between the atomic dipole and zero-point vacuum's vibration is so small that it can be neglected.The heating effect of the atom from the fluctuations is harmful for the atom's trapping by means of dipole force.