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Journal of Optics B Quantum and Semiclassical Optics

Guiding of metastable helium atoms through hollow optical fibres

R. G. Dall, Maarten D. Hoogerland, K. G. H. Baldwin, Stephen J. Buckman

Published Aug 1, 1999• 32 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Atoms can be transported through hollow optical fibres using laser light blue-detuned from the atomic resonance, which propagates through the fibre to create a repulsive evanescent light field at the inner fibre wall. We report here the first transmission of metastable helium (2 3 S 1 ) atoms through such hollow optical fibres. Using fused silica capillaries with several different geometries, laser radiation that is blue-detuned from the 2 3 S 1 2 3 P 2 transition was focused into the body of the capillary via total internal reflection from a 45° bevel polished at one end. Laser fields were used with both co- and counter-propagating configurations to the atomic beam.

DOI
10.1088/1464-4266/1/4/307

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Atoms can be transported through hollow optical fibres using laser light blue-detuned from the atomic resonance, which propagates through the fibre to create a repulsive evanescent light field at the inner fibre wall. We report here the first transmission of metastable helium (2 3 S 1 ) atoms through such hollow optical fibres. Using fused silica capillaries with several different geometries, laser radiation that is blue-detuned from the 2 3 S 1 2 3 P 2 transition was focused into the body of the capillary via total internal reflection from a 45° bevel polished at one end. Laser fields were used with both co- and counter-propagating configurations to the atomic beam.
Guiding of excited state He atoms through hollow fibers is demonstrated. He atoms in the metastable 23S1 state are employed, utilizing the 1083 nm transition to the 23P2 state to manipulate the atomic trajectories. The fibers comprise fused silica capillaries of both square and circular cross-section. Atoms are transmitted through the fiber when the laser light, either co- or counterpropagating with the atoms, is detuned to the blue of the atomic resonance frequency, thereby creating a repulsive potential.
We use evanescent laser light to guide atoms through hollow-core optical fibers. The light, detuned to the blue side of rubidium's D2{D}_{2}D2​ resonance lines, is launched into the glass region of a hollow capillary fiber and guided through the fiber by total internal reflection from the glass walls. Atoms interacting with the evanescent component of the field are repelled from the wall and guided through the fiber hollow. A second laser tuned to the red side of resonance is used to initially inject the atoms into the evanescent guide. An optical intensity threshold for guiding is observed as the evanescent-field-induced dipole forces exceed the van der Waals forces.
Summary form only given. In previous experiments we have guided excited state helium atoms through hollow optical fibres. We employ helium atoms in the metastable 2/sup 3/S/sub 1/ state, and utilise the 1083 nm transition to the 2/sup 3/P/sub 2/ state to manipulate the atomic trajectories. For these atom guiding experiments, metastable helium has the inherent advantages of near unity detection efficiency and low background counts, since metastable helium de-excites on collision with the fibre wall. We have manufactured hollow fibres with a range of dimensions, some of which support single optical mode propagation. The fibres consist of a narrow (few /spl mu/m) light guiding region around the hole, surrounded by a 20-30 /spl mu/m thick region of lower refractive index. Propagation of the lowest order mode has been observed, thereby indicating that a uniform evanescent field can be created on the inside fibre wall. In addition, excitation of the two orthogonal modes has been observed under slightly different input coupling conditions. The resulting output from the fibre yields a hollow optical beam which has the potential to funnel atoms into the fibre. The results of atom guiding experiments using these fibres are presented.
A relatively new method of atomic DeBroglie wave transmission in a hollow single mode optical fiber is presented. A slightly blue-detuned, from the atomic resonance, optical evanescent wave in the ring core of the capillary optical fiber creates a potential barrier for co-propagating or counter-propagating DeBroglie wave. The applied optical wavelength, associated with the used atomic transitions, was in the range 1100-400nm. Excited, metastable atoms of chromium, rubidium, cesium, helium, alkalis, etc., were transmitted in the capillary optical fiber. Initially the transmission was multimode and then single mode, with increasing efficiency. There are considered initial application perspectives of this transmission technology of DeBroglie wave for building of coherent cold sources of atoms, atom interferometers, and devices of the inverse lithography, which may possibly compete with the short-wave photo-lithography. The paper is a tutorial and has a teaching and technology review character.
We have used optical forces to guide atoms through hollow-core optical fibers. Laser light is launched into the hollow region of a glass capillary fiber and guided by grazing-incidence reflection from the walls. When the laser is detuned 1--30 GHz red of the Rb D2 resonance lines, dipole forces attract atoms to the high-intensity region along the axis and guide them through the fiber. We show that atoms may be guided around bends in the fiber and that in initial experiments the atoms experience up to 18 reflections from the potential walls with minimal loss.