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

AIP conference proceedings

Reflection of metastable neon atoms by a surface plasmon wave

S. Feron, J. Reinhardt, M. Ducloy, V. Lorent, Hellmut Haberland

Published Jan 1, 1993• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The ‘‘electromagnetic (e.m.) mirror’’ for neutral atoms is based on the principle that, for near resonant blue shifted frequency, the a.c. Stark shift of an evanescent wave acts as an inhomogeneous potential repelling the atoms. We investigate the reflection of neon metastable atoms by a surface plasmon wave at the metal‐vacuum interface which enhances the electric field amplitude when compared with the standard technique.

DOI
10.1063/1.45031

Related papers

Reflection of metastable argon atoms from an evanescent wave

W. Seifert, Charles S. Adams, V. I. Balykin +3 more

The reflection of metastable argon atoms from evanescent waves produced by total internal reflection and surface-plasmon excitation is investigated. We study the departure from ideal specular reflection by comparing our experimental results with a Monte Carlo simulation of the reflection process. The observed broadening of the reflection beam was found to be caused predominantly by fluctuations of the diple force. We show that the surface plasmon produces significant enhancement of the evanescent-wave intensity without degrading the quality of reflection. In addition, the number of spontaneous emissions occurring during the reflection process was investigated by comparing the reflectivity of evanescent-wave mirrors based on open and closed transitions in argon. An open-transition mirror selectively reflects atoms which do not undergo spontaneous emission. For a large detuning, the average number of spontaneous emissions for reflected atoms was 0.11.

Physical Review A•May 1, 1994•44 citations

Interferometric approaches to atom-surface van der Waals interactions in atomic mirrors

Michel Gorlicki, S. Feron, V. Lorent +1 more

We analyze the possibilities of approaching atom-surface interactions through their contribution to the atomic matter de Broglie wave phase, in an interferometer based on an evanescent light atomic mirror. The surface interactions produce an additional phase shift that is evaluated to a few times \ensuremath{\pi} for a neon atom in a metastable state. We propose and investigate an experimental procedure that uses the principles of polarization (for instance, Stern-Gerlach) interferometers in order to monitor these long-range interactions (van der Waals, Casimir-Polder, etc.) between a ground-state or metastable-state atom and either a metallic or a dielectric surface. Our approach gives access to the differential phase shift between Zeeman sublevels, and should then be sensitive to an eventual anisotropy of the atom-surface interaction.

Physical Review A•Dec 9, 1999•8 citations

Reflection of metastable neon atoms by a surface plasmon wave

S. Feron, J. Reinhardt, S. Le Boiteux +8 more

Optics Communications•Sep 1, 1993•47 citations

Surface-plasmon mirror for atoms

Tilman Esslinger, Matthias Weidemüller, Andreas Hemmerich +1 more

We demonstrate specular reflection of a thermal rubidium beam with low-power laser light. The atoms are reflected by the gradient force of an evanescent wave enhanced by surface plasmons excited in a thin silver layer. With only 6 mW of diode laser power we achieve a deflection angle of 2.5 mrad. Analysis of the velocity distribution of the reflected atoms yields an enhancement factor of 60 +/- 20 for the amplitude square of the evanescent wave.

Optics Letters•Mar 15, 1993•81 citations

Design of atomic mirror for silicon atoms

Shinichi Shimizu, T. Iwane, Akira Kunieda +3 more

Cook and Hill suggested that the gradient of an optical field can be used to reflect atoms. To reflect atoms, the repulsive dipole force is used, which comes from the interaction between the electric dipole moment of atoms and the evanescent field. The evanescent wave is generated when light is totally reflected internally at the interface of different refractive indices. Later, the way to enhance the evanescent wave with a thin dielectric waveguide has been reported. We designed the atomic mirror for silicon atoms, whose structure enhances the evanescent field that is used to repel silicon atoms. We also set up the equations of motion for silicon atoms and derive trajectories of the atoms reflected by the atomic mirror. Optical intensity, incident angle of the light, and effective detuning are described in terms of controlling the trajectory of the atom.

Science and Technology of Advanced Materials•Jan 1, 2004•15 citations

The influence of a metallic sheet on an evanescent mode atomic mirror

Kirk, J. B., C. R. Bennett, M. Babiker +1 more

A theory of evanescent mode atomic mirrors utilising a metallic sheet on a dielectric substrate is described. The emphasis here is on the role of the metallic sheet and on the evaluation of atomic trajectories using the field- dipole orientation picture. At low intensity, the atomic reflection process is controlled by two separate mechanisms both of which are modified by the presence of the metallic sheet and influenced by the use of the field-dipole orientation picture. The first mechanism involves the spontaneous force which accelerates the atom parallel to the sheet plane. The second mechanism involves the combined dipole plus van der Waals force which acts to repel the atom from the surface, decelerating its motion until it attains an instantaneous halt before changing direction away from the surface at an appr opriate turning point in the trajectory. Various quantitative features arising from varying the controllable parameters of the system, including screening effects as well as desirable enhancement effects, are pointed out and discussed.

arXiv:physics/0009030•Sep 8, 2000•2 citations
The ‘‘electromagnetic (e.m.) mirror’’ for neutral atoms is based on the principle that, for near resonant blue shifted frequency, the a.c. Stark shift of an evanescent wave acts as an inhomogeneous potential repelling the atoms. We investigate the reflection of neon metastable atoms by a surface plasmon wave at the metal‐vacuum interface which enhances the electric field amplitude when compared with the standard technique.
The reflection of metastable argon atoms from evanescent waves produced by total internal reflection and surface-plasmon excitation is investigated. We study the departure from ideal specular reflection by comparing our experimental results with a Monte Carlo simulation of the reflection process. The observed broadening of the reflection beam was found to be caused predominantly by fluctuations of the diple force. We show that the surface plasmon produces significant enhancement of the evanescent-wave intensity without degrading the quality of reflection. In addition, the number of spontaneous emissions occurring during the reflection process was investigated by comparing the reflectivity of evanescent-wave mirrors based on open and closed transitions in argon. An open-transition mirror selectively reflects atoms which do not undergo spontaneous emission. For a large detuning, the average number of spontaneous emissions for reflected atoms was 0.11.
We analyze the possibilities of approaching atom-surface interactions through their contribution to the atomic matter de Broglie wave phase, in an interferometer based on an evanescent light atomic mirror. The surface interactions produce an additional phase shift that is evaluated to a few times \ensuremath{\pi} for a neon atom in a metastable state. We propose and investigate an experimental procedure that uses the principles of polarization (for instance, Stern-Gerlach) interferometers in order to monitor these long-range interactions (van der Waals, Casimir-Polder, etc.) between a ground-state or metastable-state atom and either a metallic or a dielectric surface. Our approach gives access to the differential phase shift between Zeeman sublevels, and should then be sensitive to an eventual anisotropy of the atom-surface interaction.
Cook and Hill suggested that the gradient of an optical field can be used to reflect atoms. To reflect atoms, the repulsive dipole force is used, which comes from the interaction between the electric dipole moment of atoms and the evanescent field. The evanescent wave is generated when light is totally reflected internally at the interface of different refractive indices. Later, the way to enhance the evanescent wave with a thin dielectric waveguide has been reported. We designed the atomic mirror for silicon atoms, whose structure enhances the evanescent field that is used to repel silicon atoms. We also set up the equations of motion for silicon atoms and derive trajectories of the atoms reflected by the atomic mirror. Optical intensity, incident angle of the light, and effective detuning are described in terms of controlling the trajectory of the atom.
A theory of evanescent mode atomic mirrors utilising a metallic sheet on a dielectric substrate is described. The emphasis here is on the role of the metallic sheet and on the evaluation of atomic trajectories using the field- dipole orientation picture. At low intensity, the atomic reflection process is controlled by two separate mechanisms both of which are modified by the presence of the metallic sheet and influenced by the use of the field-dipole orientation picture. The first mechanism involves the spontaneous force which accelerates the atom parallel to the sheet plane. The second mechanism involves the combined dipole plus van der Waals force which acts to repel the atom from the surface, decelerating its motion until it attains an instantaneous halt before changing direction away from the surface at an appr opriate turning point in the trajectory. Various quantitative features arising from varying the controllable parameters of the system, including screening effects as well as desirable enhancement effects, are pointed out and discussed.