Trapping Light

Bernhard W. Adams

David Copsey, Glen Gillen

During winter quarter 2007, the light polarization dependence of light traps used in quantum computing was researched. Throughout the quarter, a Mathematica program that simulates the trapping potential of light traps was modified; it now takes into account the polarization of light used, as well as the internal state of atoms used in the light traps. The goal for the next quarter, spring 2007, was to use the program that was generated to simulate the trapping potentials of varying parameters. This research was conducted to deduce whether there is any possible way to implement the light polarization dependence of light traps in quantum computing. More specifically, the intent was to investigate potential ways to create a two-qubit gate using the light polarization dependence of the light traps.

Stig Stenholm

We consider the mechanical forces exerted on atoms by light as a tool to make the atom more concrete as a particle. It can be pushed, trapped and observed in its own scattered light. Recent theoretical and experimental progress in the field of cooling and trapping of atoms demonstrates their palpable reality. The theory of the mechanical manifestations of light is reviewed, and its application to laser cooling is discussed. Traps for atoms are considered. The feasibility of pure light traps is discussed, and the use of other types of traps in laser applications is reviewed. We present briefly the main experiments proving the possibility of laser cooling and trapping. A brief discussion of applications and future experimental possibilities is given.

Anonymous

J. B. Pawley

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.