Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Physical Review A

Atom microtraps based on near-field Fresnel diffraction

Thejesh Bandi, Vladimir G. Minogin, Síle Nic Chormaic

Published Jul 17, 2008• 20 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We propose and present a quantitative analysis of neutral atom microtraps based on optical near fields produced by the diffraction of a laser wave on small apertures in a thin screen. We show that near-field atom microtraps are capable of storing atoms in micron-sized regions, with estimated trap lifetimes of about $1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}$, when using a moderate laser intensity of about $10\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{W}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The depth of the proposed Fresnel atom microtraps is about $0.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mK}$. An array of such atom microtraps could have applications to site-selective manipulation of cold atoms.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.78.013410

Related papers

Near-Field Atom Microtraps Based on Fresnel Diffraction

Thejesh Bandi, Vladimir G. Minogin, Síle Nic Chormaic

We propose atom near-field microtraps based on diffraction of laser wave on small apertures in thin screen. We show that near-field atom microtraps can store atoms in micron-sized regions during times about 1 second.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•May 4, 2008•0 citations

Focusing of atomic beams by near-field atom microlenses: The Bethe-type and the Fresnel-type microlenses

V. I. Balykin, Vladimir G. Minogin

We analyze focusing of atomic beams by the atom near-field microlenses produced by the laser fields diffracted on the apertures in the metallic screens. Analysis of the focusing properties of the atom microlenses is given in a model describing dipole interaction of atoms with a far-off-resonance laser light. Two types of the atom microlenses are considered: The Bethe-type microlens with aperture less than the light wavelength and the Fresnel-type microlens with aperture about the wavelength. It is shown that both types of the atom microlenses are able to produce strong dipole gradient forces which can focus the atomic beams. However, while the Bethe-atom microlens is able to produce sharp focusing of the beams the Fresnel-atom microlens possesses weak focusing property due to high anharmonicity of the gradient force. We conclude that the Bethe-atom microlens can be considered as a promising tool of the atom optics potentially able to focus atomic beams into spot sizes about nanometers.

Physical Review A•Jan 2, 2008•7 citations

Projection of diffraction patterns for use in cold-neutral-atom trapping

Katharina Gillen-Christandl, Glen D. Gillen

Scalar diffraction theory is combined with beam-propagation techniques to investigate the projection of near-field diffraction patterns to spatial locations away from the aperture for use in optically trapping cold neutral alkali-metal atoms. Calculations show that intensity distributions with localized bright and dark spots usually found within a millimeter of the diffracting aperture can be projected to a region free from optical components such as a cloud of cold atoms within a vacuum chamber. Calculations also predict that the critical properties of the optical dipole atom traps are not only maintained for the projected intensity patterns but also can be manipulated and improved by adjustment of the optical components outside the vacuum chamber.

Physical Review A•Dec 29, 2010•6 citations

Trapping Cold Atoms with Laser Light

Glen D. Gillen, Katharina Gillen, Shekhar Guha

In this chapter we present an interesting application of the propagation of laser light through linear optical media: the ability to spatially confine (trap) cold atoms within localized light intensity patterns. We first present some of the fundamentals for understanding how light can trap an atom. Depending upon the relationship between the properties of the atom and the properties of the laser light, atoms can be trapped in either localized dark spots, or localized bright spots. We will describe several light patterns for trapping atoms: The tightly localized bright and dark regions in the near-field diffraction patterns presented in Chapters 7 and 8 , The near-field patterns projected to a location far away from the diffracting aperture, and Polarization-dependent movable light field traps based on the near-field diffraction patterns.

CRC Press eBooks•Oct 30, 2013•0 citations

One- and two-dimensional optical lattices on a chip for quantum computing

Katharina Christandl, Gregory P. Lafyatis

We propose a way to make arrays of optical frequency dipole-force microtraps for cold atoms above a dielectric substrate. Traps are nodes in the evanescent wave fields above an optical waveguide resulting from interference of different waveguide modes. The traps have features sought in developing neutral atom based architectures for quantum computing: $\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mW}$ of laser power yields very tight traps $150\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ above a waveguide with trap vibrational frequencies $\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MHz}$ and vibrational ground state sizes $\ensuremath{\sim}10\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$. The arrays are scalable and allow addressing of individual sites for quantum logic operations.

arXiv:physics/0401041•Physical Review A•Sep 1, 2004•21 citations

Laser near rield lens for atoms

V. I. Balykin, В. В. Климов, Vladilen S Letokhov

We suggest and examine an atom optics focusing element based on the near field arising in the diffraction of laser radiation by an aperture of small size (less than an optical wavelength) in a thin conducting screen. The quasi-resonant interaction potential of the atom and the near field is found to be close to the potential of the ideal lens. Within the quasi-classical dynamics of atoms we consider the role of chromatic, spherical aberration. Taking the diffraction aberrations into account we find that it is possible to focus atoms into spot with radius 4-7 nm.

Journal de Physique II•Nov 1, 1994•14 citations
We propose and present a quantitative analysis of neutral atom microtraps based on optical near fields produced by the diffraction of a laser wave on small apertures in a thin screen. We show that near-field atom microtraps are capable of storing atoms in micron-sized regions, with estimated trap lifetimes of about 1s1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{s}1s, when using a moderate laser intensity of about 10W∕cm210\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{W}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}10W∕cm2. The depth of the proposed Fresnel atom microtraps is about 0.1mK0.1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mK}0.1mK. An array of such atom microtraps could have applications to site-selective manipulation of cold atoms.
We analyze focusing of atomic beams by the atom near-field microlenses produced by the laser fields diffracted on the apertures in the metallic screens. Analysis of the focusing properties of the atom microlenses is given in a model describing dipole interaction of atoms with a far-off-resonance laser light. Two types of the atom microlenses are considered: The Bethe-type microlens with aperture less than the light wavelength and the Fresnel-type microlens with aperture about the wavelength. It is shown that both types of the atom microlenses are able to produce strong dipole gradient forces which can focus the atomic beams. However, while the Bethe-atom microlens is able to produce sharp focusing of the beams the Fresnel-atom microlens possesses weak focusing property due to high anharmonicity of the gradient force. We conclude that the Bethe-atom microlens can be considered as a promising tool of the atom optics potentially able to focus atomic beams into spot sizes about nanometers.
Scalar diffraction theory is combined with beam-propagation techniques to investigate the projection of near-field diffraction patterns to spatial locations away from the aperture for use in optically trapping cold neutral alkali-metal atoms. Calculations show that intensity distributions with localized bright and dark spots usually found within a millimeter of the diffracting aperture can be projected to a region free from optical components such as a cloud of cold atoms within a vacuum chamber. Calculations also predict that the critical properties of the optical dipole atom traps are not only maintained for the projected intensity patterns but also can be manipulated and improved by adjustment of the optical components outside the vacuum chamber.
In this chapter we present an interesting application of the propagation of laser light through linear optical media: the ability to spatially confine (trap) cold atoms within localized light intensity patterns. We first present some of the fundamentals for understanding how light can trap an atom. Depending upon the relationship between the properties of the atom and the properties of the laser light, atoms can be trapped in either localized dark spots, or localized bright spots. We will describe several light patterns for trapping atoms: The tightly localized bright and dark regions in the near-field diffraction patterns presented in Chapters 7 and 8 , The near-field patterns projected to a location far away from the diffracting aperture, and Polarization-dependent movable light field traps based on the near-field diffraction patterns.
We propose a way to make arrays of optical frequency dipole-force microtraps for cold atoms above a dielectric substrate. Traps are nodes in the evanescent wave fields above an optical waveguide resulting from interference of different waveguide modes. The traps have features sought in developing neutral atom based architectures for quantum computing: $\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{mW}$ of laser power yields very tight traps 150nm150\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}150nm above a waveguide with trap vibrational frequencies $\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MHz}$ and vibrational ground state sizes $\ensuremath{\sim}10\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$. The arrays are scalable and allow addressing of individual sites for quantum logic operations.
We suggest and examine an atom optics focusing element based on the near field arising in the diffraction of laser radiation by an aperture of small size (less than an optical wavelength) in a thin conducting screen. The quasi-resonant interaction potential of the atom and the near field is found to be close to the potential of the ideal lens. Within the quasi-classical dynamics of atoms we consider the role of chromatic, spherical aberration. Taking the diffraction aberrations into account we find that it is possible to focus atoms into spot with radius 4-7 nm.