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arXiv:quant-ph/9702008

Quantised motion of an atom in a Gaussian-Laguerre beam

Jason Twamley

Published Feb 2, 1997• 0 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We quantise the centre of mass motion of a neutral Cs atom in the presence of a classical Gaussian-Laguerre$_{10}$ light field in the large detuning limit. This light field possesses orbital angular momentum which is transferred to the atom via spontaneous emissions. We use quantum trajectory and analytic methods to solve the master equation for the 2d centre of mass motion with recoil near the centre of the beam. For appropriate parameters, we observe heating in both the cartesian and polar observables within a few orbits of the atom in the beam. The angular momentum, $\hat{L}$, shows a rapid diffusion which results in $$ reaching a maximum and then decreasing to zero. We compare this with analytic results obtained for an atom illuminated by a superposition of Gaussian-Laguerre modes which possess no angular momentum, in the limit of no recoil.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.quant-ph/9702008

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The exchange of orbital angular momentum between a Laguerre-Gaussian beam of light and the center-of-mass motion of an atom or molecule is well known. We show that the orbital angular momentum of light can also be transferred to the internal electronic or rotational motion of an atom or a molecule provided the internal and center-of-mass motions are coupled. However, this transfer does not happen directly to the internal motion, but via center-of-mass motion. If atoms or molecules are cooled down to the recoil limit, then an exchange of angular momentum between the quantized center-of-mass motion and the internal motion is possible during the interaction of cold atoms or molecules with the Laguerre-Gaussian beam. The orientation of the exchanged angular momentum is determined by the sign of the winding number of the Laguerre-Gaussian beam. We present selective results of numerical calculations for the quadrupole transition rates in the interaction of the Laguerre-Gaussian beam with an atomic Bose-Einstein condensate to illustrate the underlying mechanism of light orbital angular momentum transfer. We discuss how the alignment of diatomic molecules will facilitate exploration of the effects of light orbital angular momentum on the electronic motion of molecules.
A theory is developed that leads to the description of the internal and gross motions of an atom interacting with an arbitrary light field. The general results are then applied to the case of a Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) mode, one of a class of modes of electromagnetic radiation that possess orbital angular momentum. A number of effects are predicted, notably, an azimuthal shift in the atomic resonance, a modified radiation pressure force, and an associated torque on the atom. It is pointed out that the effects originate in the processes of the transfer of linear and orbital angular momentum from the field to the atomic gross motion. The strengths of the effects are assessed in relation to the normal axial Doppler shift and the linear light pressure force. The motion of atoms and ions subject to the LG pressure force is studied by solving the classical equation of motion. Trajectories clearly exhibiting the effects of orbital angular momentum are displayed for a free atom and for an ion in a two-dimensional trap and in a Paul trap.
We derive the interaction Hamiltonian of a Laguerre–Gaussian beam with a simple atomic system, under the assumption of a small spread of the centre of mass wavefunction in comparison with the waist of the Laguerre–Gaussian beam and taking into account the centre of mass motion of the atomic system. Using the properties of regular spherical harmonics the internal and centre of mass dynamical variables are separated without making any multipolar expansion. The features of angular momentum exchange process assisted by Laguerre–Gaussian beams and the influence of their winding number on the selection rules and transition probability of internal and centre of mass motion are discussed.
The leading radiation forces acting on an atom or ion subject to linearly polarized Laguerre-Gaussian (LG) light are studied. Particular emphasis is laid on the orbital angular momentum effects associated with LG light. The optical Bloch equations appropriate for the adiabatic approximation are derived and used to evaluate the forces and associated torque governing the atomic motion. The steady-state dynamics of the atom are explored for atoms subject to a single beam and multiple independent counterpropagating beams. The main features responsible for the dynamics of the atom, together with the dipole potentials characteristic of Laguerre-Gaussian light, are identified and discussed. The theory is illustrated by the numerical integration of the equation of motion for Mg+{\mathrm{Mg}}^{+}Mg+ ions in various beam configurations. This yields information on trajectories, velocity evolution, and vibrational frequencies at potential minima. Interesting effects involving a reciprocal interplay between motions in orthogonal directions are demonstrated. Such features are purely dependent on the orbital angular momentum property of the light. Their possible use in controlling atomic motion is investigated. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
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