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Physical Review A

Resonant transmission and beaming of cold atoms assisted by surface matter waves

Antonio I. Fernández‐Domínguez, Diego Martín-Cano, Esteban Moreno, Luis Martín-Moreno, Francisco José García-Vidal

Published Aug 8, 2008• 6 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We study in detail the appearance of the phenomenon of resonant transmission of matter waves (cold noninteracting atoms) through subwavelength apertures. We show how the emergence of this effect, first reported for electromagnetic waves, is associated with the excitation of surface matter waves, the analog of surface plasmon polaritons in the electromagnetic case. We describe the similarities and differences for the one-dimensional (array of slits) and two-dimensional (array of holes) cases. In this last structure, extraordinary transmission of matter waves is theoretically predicted. Finally, we also study the existence of the beaming effect for matter waves in single apertures flanked by periodic corrugations.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.78.023614

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We study in detail the appearance of the phenomenon of resonant transmission of matter waves (cold noninteracting atoms) through subwavelength apertures. We show how the emergence of this effect, first reported for electromagnetic waves, is associated with the excitation of surface matter waves, the analog of surface plasmon polaritons in the electromagnetic case. We describe the similarities and differences for the one-dimensional (array of slits) and two-dimensional (array of holes) cases. In this last structure, extraordinary transmission of matter waves is theoretically predicted. Finally, we also study the existence of the beaming effect for matter waves in single apertures flanked by periodic corrugations.
Recently, it has been observed that transmission of light through subwavelength apertures, which is usually negligible, can be significantly enhanced when surface plasmons are resonantly excited. Here we introduce the idea that similar effects can be expected for cold atoms in structures supporting surface matter waves. We show that surface matter waves are possible in properly designed structures, and then we theoretically demonstrate 100% transmission of rubidium atoms through an array of slits much narrower than the de Broglie wavelength of the atoms. Our results open up the possibility of using surface matter waves to control the flow of neutral atoms.
We show theoretically that the shape of a beam of matter waves (cold atoms) emerging from one subwavelength aperture pierced in a film can be collimated within a few degrees. By means of an external laser field, a potential well for the atoms in the direction perpendicular to the surface is created. In this way, a running surface matter wave can be excited when atoms diffract from the aperture. If the aperture is surrounded with a finite array of indentations, coherent scattering of the surface matter wave with these indentations molds the angular distribution of the matter wave in the far field.
The results of investigation of photon transport through the subwavelength hole in the opaque screen by using single neutral atom are represented. The basis of the proposed and implemented method is the absorption of a photon by a neutral atom immediately before the subwavelength aperture, traveling of the atoms through the hole and emission of a photon on the other side of the screen. Realized method is the alternative approach to existing for photon transport through a subwavelength aperture: 1) self-sustained transmittance of a photon through the aperture according to the Bethe’s model; 2) extra ordinary transmission because of surface-plasmon excitation.
The paper reports on the optical detection and spectroscopy of ultracold atoms near a gold surface.A probe light field is used to excite surface plasmon polaritons.The refractive index of the atomic gas shifts the plasmon resonance and changes the reflected light power.Thus, the sensitivity of the detection is plasmonically enhanced.Absorption of photons from the evanescent wave is avoided by detuning the laser from atomic resonance which makes the detection scheme potentially nondestructive.The spectrum of the signal is determined by a Fano resonance.We show that atoms can be detected nondestructively with single atom resolution for typical parameters in cold atom experiments.Thus, the method is suitable for quantum nondemolition measurements of matter wave amplitudes.Experimentally, we measure a technically limited sensitivity of 30 atoms and extend the detection scheme to dispersively image the atom cloud near the surface.
We propose a scheme to generate one-dimensional (1D) dark hollow lattices to trap and guide cold atoms periodically at the nanometer scale by surface plasmons (SP) excited on the periodic metallic strips (arrays) with the blue-detuned light.Intensity and optical potential in the trap are calculated by Comsol method, and it shows that closed contour lines of SP intensity and optical potential can realize the effective trapping and guiding of cold atoms in our 1D lattices.Cold atoms are trapped in the region with a section diameter about 30 nm, by which the trap has a large intensity gradient (> 3 13 m W 10 ).
The results of investigation of photon transport through the subwavelength hole in the opaque screen by using single neutral atom are represented. The basis of the proposed and implemented method is the absorption of a photon by a neutral atom immediately before the subwavelength aperture, traveling of the atoms through the hole and emission of a photon on the other side of the screen. Realized method is the alternative approach to existing for photon transport through a subwavelength aperture: 1) self-sustained transmittance of a photon through the aperture according to the Bethe's model; 2) extra ordinary transmission because of surface-plasmon excitation.