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Journal of the Optical Society of America A

Hollow beams of simple polarization for trapping and storing atoms

R. M. Herman, T. A. Wiggins

Published Jan 1, 2002• 11 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We propose a scheme for producing and magnifying a hollow beam, as might be desired for purposes of storing and guiding cold atoms, through the use of a simple spherically aberrating lens and a projection lens. The field is a superposition of J0 Bessel fields, so that simple (linear, circular) polarizations can be utilized. analyze some of the beam properties through analytical approximations. Some examples of field zeros along the optical axis are given, together with some of their characteristics. Numerical calculations largely confirm the validity of the analytical expressions. For the most important zero nearly all of the beam power is contained within the first two Bessel spacings, with a resulting highly efficient trapping. Isophotes are calculated and displayed for the region surrounding this null point. They have regular shapes, for which we give an approximate expression.

DOI
10.1364/josaa.19.000116

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We propose a scheme for producing and magnifying a hollow beam, as might be desired for purposes of storing and guiding cold atoms, through the use of a simple spherically aberrating lens and a projection lens. The field is a superposition of J0 Bessel fields, so that simple (linear, circular) polarizations can be utilized. analyze some of the beam properties through analytical approximations. Some examples of field zeros along the optical axis are given, together with some of their characteristics. Numerical calculations largely confirm the validity of the analytical expressions. For the most important zero nearly all of the beam power is contained within the first two Bessel spacings, with a resulting highly efficient trapping. Isophotes are calculated and displayed for the region surrounding this null point. They have regular shapes, for which we give an approximate expression.
Summary form only given. Hollow beams have attracted increasing interest in the field of laser cooling and trapping of neutral atoms. Several groups have used different techniques to generate dark hollow beams (DHB). However, the experimental setups and techniques employed in most of the investigations so far, are rather sophisticated and need usually more than one beam. On the other hand, Bessel beams are easily obtained in practice with a quite simple experimental arrangement. Investigations on the dynamical interplay between superimposed Bessel beams (SBB) has been demonstrated recently theoretically and experimentally. In this paper, we propose a new and simple experimental scheme to produce a dark hollow beam for atom trapping purposes, using the interference pattern originated from two superimposed Bessel beams. We illustrate the propagation of a superposition of two Bessel beams with same amplitude and phase, generated by a quite simple setup made with two annular slits and a lens.
This thesis is concerned with the guiding of cold atoms using optical forces, which is of great importance in the field of atom optics. Atomic beams can be used for precision sensor equipment, building nano-scale structures, construction of quantum computers and to further the understanding of the properties of atoms. Atoms are guided along light beams using the dipole force; there are two regimes under which this force works. Typically red-detuned guides are used (atoms are attracted towards the light) such guides, however, require large detuning and high powers. In this thesis we investigate the use of blue-detuned (atoms are repelled from the light) hollow light beams of moderate power (a few hundred mW) and confine atoms in the dark centre of the beams. Several magneto-optical traps (MOTs) have been constructed to exploit different guiding geometries. Hollow beams have been generated using a variety of methods; in particular the use of a computer controlled spatial light modulator (SLM) has provided great versatility and simplicity to the experimental arrangements. First, experiments were performed with a low-velocity intense source (LVIS) of atoms. A co-linear LG beam significantly enhances the observed flux, however, considerable difficulties are encountered loading atoms into oblique guides. Imaging a hole in the walls of the light tube was used to improve the loading efficiency. Second, guiding a free-falling atom cloud is performed using a non-diffracting Bessel beam. It is found that while the potential of the Bessel beam is steeper than equivalent LG beams the power distribution across the beam severely limits its usefulness. The next study investigated higher-order LG guide beams generated with an SLM. High order modes have a narrower profile so confine the atoms with less interaction with the guide beam, leading to a more natural guide (as opposed to a pushing force). Finally the SLM was used to create non-trivial beam shapes for beam splitters and interferometers.
In this paper, we propose a new scheme to generate a dark hollow-beam, which includes dark hollow-beam optical pipe and hollow-beam optical dipole trap, through using a system composed of a four steps phase plate and a spherical lens. This kind of light beam can be used to focus, guide and trap the cold atom. We also calculate the intensity distributing and characteristic parameters of a dark hollow-beam and the optical dipole potential which manipulate the cold atoms of 85Rb. At last, we analyze and demonstrate the experimental feasibility of the scheme.
We explore a scheme for guiding cold atoms through a hollow Bessel beam generated by a single axicon and a lens from a two-dimensional magneto-optical trap toward a science chamber. We compare the Bessel beam profiles measured along the optical axis to a numerical propagation of the beam’s wavefront, and we show how it is affected by diffraction during the passage through a long narrow funnel serving as a differential pumping tube between the chambers. We derive an approximate analytic expression for the intensity distribution of the Bessel beam and the dipolar optical force acting on the atoms. By a Monte-Carlo simulation based on a stochastic Runge–Kutta algorithm of the motion of atoms initially prepared at a given temperature, we show that a considerable enhancement of the transfer efficiency can be expected in the presence of a sufficiently intense Bessel beam.
We present a novel and simple vapour-cell magneto-optical atom trap in a pyramidal and a conical hollow mirror cavity. A single laser beam having modulation sidebands at microwaves is used for cooling, trapping and repumping of rubidium atoms. When the laser is circularly polarized and sent into the hollow region, three pairs of counterpropagating beams are automatically produced therein, having the same polarization configuration as in the conventional six beam magneto-optical trap. The precooled atom sources thus produced may be used to obtain much colder and denser atoms for study of their quantum statistical properties.
Summary form only given. Recent advances in cold atom physics have seen the emergence of the area of atom guiding along hollow core optical fibres and also along light beams. Both employ the optical dipole force which for suitably tuned light can restrict the atoms to the dark hollow region of the fibre or the light beam. In this work, we discuss and analyse a novel scheme of channelling cold atoms into a high-order Bessel beam (via a high-order Laguerre-Gaussian beam) and demonstrate an efficient method of producing such beams.