Radiation forces and compression of neutral particles by an optical lens
Georgi Petkov Yankov, Ekaterina Iordanova, L. M. Kovachev
The ultra-short optical pulses can be used for the confinement of neutral particles by an additional optical longitudinal force, connected with the Poynting vector and the influence of the magnetic field on their polarizability. The Poynting vector is connected also to the intensity of the electromagnetic field. On other hand, the intensity of a laser pulse can be manipulated by an optical lens, and thus, indirectly, the optical force can be increased or decreased or its direction to be changed. This in turn enables a unique possibility for the compression of neutral atoms, molecules, and particles into the focus of the lens. Here, we reported on an experimental study of neutral particle confinement in the focus of femtosecond laser pulses and further confirmed by a theoretical investigation. The findings demonstrate an innovative approach to the compression and confinement of neutral particles within the focal plane of a lens and their further manipulation. Feasible applications could be in the field of cold nuclear fusion and cooling of light-neutral atoms and molecules.
Optik•Dec 19, 2022•2 citations