We propose a scheme to trap cold atoms (or molecules) by using an improved red- or blue-detuned far-field optical trap, which is formed by an optical system composed of a binary phase plate and a circular aperture illuminated by a plane light wave. We calculate the relative intensity distribution of the far-field trap and study its dependence on the phase $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ of the binary phase plate. Our study shows that the binary phase plate can be used to improve some geometric and optical parameters of the far-field optical trap, and realize the evolution of the far-field optical trap from a red-detuned trap to a blue-detuned one. In particular, when the phase $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ of the binary phase plate is changed from 0 to $\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$, the maximum intensity of the far-field trap and its well depth will be enhanced by $\ensuremath{\sim}4$ times, and the corresponding trapping volume will be increased by $\ensuremath{\sim}8$ times, with respect to a trapping beam obtained from the diffraction by a circular aperture.We propose a scheme to trap cold atoms (or molecules) by using an improved red- or blue-detuned far-field optical trap, which is formed by an optical system composed of a binary phase plate and a circular aperture illuminated by a plane light wave. We calculate the relative intensity distribution of the far-field trap and study its dependence on the phase $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ of the binary phase plate. Our study shows that the binary phase plate can be used to improve some geometric and optical parameters of the far-field optical trap, and realize the evolution of the far-field optical trap from a red-detuned trap to a blue-detuned one. In particular, when the phase $\ensuremath{\varphi}$ of the binary phase plate is changed from 0 to $\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$, the maximum intensity of the far-field trap and its well depth will be enhanced by $\ensuremath{\sim}4$ times, and the corresponding trapping volume will be increased by $\ensuremath{\sim}8$ times, with respect to a trapping beam obtained from the diffraction by a circular aperture.

Physical Review ADec 18, 20097 citations

Development of optical traps for cold atoms

M. L. Miguez, Ph. W. Courteille

ResumosJan 1, 20130 citations

Electromagnetic Trapping of Cold Atoms: An Overview

Vladilen S Letokhov

Springer eBooksJan 1, 20021 citation

Optical dipole traps for cold atoms using diffracted laser light

Glen Gillen, Shekhar Guha, Katharina Christandl

We theoretically investigate the feasibility of using intensity distributions of light of a single laser beam diffracted by a circular aperture as optical dipole traps for cold neutral atoms. Localized and cylindrically symmetric traps on the central axis of the circular aperture exist for both blue- and red-detuned laser light. Experimental mapping of the spots of interest using ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ laser light demonstrates the existence of these light distributions for laboratory conditions and their agreement with theoretical predictions.We theoretically investigate the feasibility of using intensity distributions of light of a single laser beam diffracted by a circular aperture as optical dipole traps for cold neutral atoms. Localized and cylindrically symmetric traps on the central axis of the circular aperture exist for both blue- and red-detuned laser light. Experimental mapping of the spots of interest using ${\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ laser light demonstrates the existence of these light distributions for laboratory conditions and their agreement with theoretical predictions.

Physical Review AJan 20, 200618 citations

Trapping of atoms in the near field of laser light

В. В. Климов, Vladilen S Letokhov

ZhETF Pisma RedaktsiiuJan 1, 19950 citations

{\mathrm{CO}}_{2}

laser light demonstrates the existence of these light distributions for laboratory conditions and their agreement with theoretical predictions.