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Physical Review A

Transient optical angular momentum effects in light-matter interactions

A. R. Carter, M. Babiker, M. Al-Amri, Davıd L. Andrews

Published Oct 26, 2005• 23 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The time evolution of the radiation pressure forces due to the action of laser light on matter in the form of neutral molecules, atoms, and ions is considered when the frequency of the light is comparable to a dipole-allowed transition frequency. We find that the transient regime, applicable from the instant the laser is switched on, is important for the gross motion, provided that the upper-state lifetime ${\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ is relatively long, while the steady-state regime, formally such that $t⪢{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$, is appropriate for the evaluation of the forces and the dynamics for large $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$. With a focus on the orbital-angular-momentum-endowed laser light, the light-induced time-dependent forces and torques are determined and their full time dependence utilized to determine trajectories. Marked differences are found in both translational and rotational features in comparison with the results emerging when the steady-state forces are assumed from the outset. Intricate and detailed atom trajectories are plotted for Laguerre-Gaussian light at near resonance for a transition of ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}$ that has a particularly small $\ensuremath{\Gamma}$. The implications of the results for trapping and manipulating atoms and ions using laser light are pointed out and discussed.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.72.043407

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The time evolution of the radiation pressure forces due to the action of laser light on matter in the form of neutral molecules, atoms, and ions is considered when the frequency of the light is comparable to a dipole-allowed transition frequency. We find that the transient regime, applicable from the instant the laser is switched on, is important for the gross motion, provided that the upper-state lifetime \ensuremathΓ\ensuremath−1{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\ensuremathΓ\ensuremath−1 is relatively long, while the steady-state regime, formally such that t⪢\ensuremathΓ\ensuremath−1t⪢{\ensuremath{\Gamma}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}t⪢\ensuremathΓ\ensuremath−1, is appropriate for the evaluation of the forces and the dynamics for large \ensuremathΓ\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremathΓ. With a focus on the orbital-angular-momentum-endowed laser light, the light-induced time-dependent forces and torques are determined and their full time dependence utilized to determine trajectories. Marked differences are found in both translational and rotational features in comparison with the results emerging when the steady-state forces are assumed from the outset. Intricate and detailed atom trajectories are plotted for Laguerre-Gaussian light at near resonance for a transition of Eu3+{\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}Eu3+ that has a particularly small \ensuremathΓ\ensuremath{\Gamma}\ensuremathΓ. The implications of the results for trapping and manipulating atoms and ions using laser light are pointed out and discussed.
Theoretical work has already established the existence of a light-induced torque acting on the centre of mass of an atom, ion or molecule immersed in twisted light, where the transition frequency is suitably detuned from that of the twisted light beam. The twisted beam carries l units of orbital angular momentum per photon, and the steady-state saturation form of the torque is also determined by the width of the upper state in the atomic transition. It has been shown that, to leading order, the transfer of orbital angular momentum can only occur between the twisted light and the centre of mass motion. We argue here that, for small linewidth, the full time-dependence of the torque is needed to account correctly for the dynamics of atoms in a twisted light beam. We outline the theoretical framework needed to derive this full time-dependence, applying the theory to the motion in a twisted light beam of Eu3+ ions, which possess a particularly narrow linewidth state. For relatively large linewidth, the steady-state forces and torque are appropriate, but the processes of cooling and trapping require the application of several suitably oriented twisted beams. The description of atomic motion in multiple twisted beams demands the application of special coordinate transformations. We show how to construct the appropriate transformation matrices to represent a twisted light beam propagating in an arbitrary direction, and we proceed to investigate the cooling and trapping of Mg+ ions in sets of pairs of counter-propagating twisted beams in two-dimensional and three-dimensional molasses configurations.
The interaction of atoms and molecules with structured light, specifically laser light endowed with the property of orbital angular momentum, such as Laguerre-Gaussian light, is discussed. The primary effects of interest here are the influence of the light on the gross motion of atoms and molecules and the possibilities this motion provides for particle manipulation in cooling, heating and trapping experiments. It turns out that, in addition to the possibility of modifying translational motion, suitably structured light can facilitate the manipulation of rotational motion. The latter possibility arises from a light-induced torque that is directly attributable to the orbital angular momentum property of the light. We outline the physics responsible for these effects and consider applications to typical cases in which atoms and ions are subject to near resonant Laguerre-Gaussian beams, leading to characteristic trajectories and eventual trapping in specific regions. Details are given for optical molasses configurations based on twisted light beams arranged in one-, two- and three-dimensional counter-propagating pairs. We extend consideration to the case of liquid crystals, subject to Laguerre-Gaussian light tuned far off-resonance, and show how this leads to the twisting of the directors in the liquid crystal, coinciding with the intensity distribution of the light.
The time evolution of the radiation pressure forces due to the action of a laser light on two-level atom moving inside a long hollow cylinder with a rectangular cross-section of sub-wavelength dimensions a × b is presented.This evolution is considered when the frequency of the light is comparable to a dipole allowed transition frequency.In this limit, the decay emission Γ is possible only via a very small number of modes.From the solutions of the Bloch equations in the dynamic regime, we nd that the transient regime, applicable from the instant the laser is switched on.This is important for the gross motion, provided that the upper-state lifetime Γ -1 is relatively long while the steady-state regime, formally such that t Γ -1 , is appropriate for the evaluation of the forces and the dynamics for large Γ .Signicant variations of the characteristics of the system are emphasized.These features are illustrated using typical parameters for the case of Eu 3+ that has a particularly small Γ .
The leading radiation forces acting on an atom or ion subject to linearly polarized Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) light are studied. Particular emphasis is laid on the orbital angular momentum effects associated with LG light. The optical Bloch equations appropriate for the adiabatic approximation are derived and used to evaluate the forces and associated torque governing the atomic motion. The steady-state dynamics of the atom are explored for atoms subject to a single beam and multiple independent counterpropagating beams. The main features responsible for the dynamics of the atom, together with the dipole potentials characteristic of Laguerre-Gaussian light, are identified and discussed. The theory is illustrated by the numerical integration of the equation of motion for Mg+{\mathrm{Mg}}^{+}Mg+ ions in various beam configurations. This yields information on trajectories, velocity evolution, and vibrational frequencies at potential minima. Interesting effects involving a reciprocal interplay between motions in orthogonal directions are demonstrated. Such features are purely dependent on the orbital angular momentum property of the light. Their possible use in controlling atomic motion is investigated. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
A theory is developed that leads to the description of the internal and gross motions of an atom interacting with an arbitrary light field. The general results are then applied to the case of a Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) mode, one of a class of modes of electromagnetic radiation that possess orbital angular momentum. A number of effects are predicted, notably, an azimuthal shift in the atomic resonance, a modified radiation pressure force, and an associated torque on the atom. It is pointed out that the effects originate in the processes of the transfer of linear and orbital angular momentum from the field to the atomic gross motion. The strengths of the effects are assessed in relation to the normal axial Doppler shift and the linear light pressure force. The motion of atoms and ions subject to the LG pressure force is studied by solving the classical equation of motion. Trajectories clearly exhibiting the effects of orbital angular momentum are displayed for a free atom and for an ion in a two-dimensional trap and in a Paul trap.
We are concerned with an analytic separation approach of the optical Bloch equations in the case of the two-level atom interacting with a classical light. The conditions that permit a complete separation of these equations are extracted in a natural manner and the exact solutions are obtained. A theoretical comparison with Torrey method is given. In this context, we find that the transient regime, valid from the instant of the application of the laser on atom, is significant for the evolution of forces and the dynamics before the steady-state regime will be reached. The case of Eu3 + ion moving in plane-light wave and standing-wave is treated with some details. The implications of the results for operating atoms and ions using laser light are discussed.