Integrated Optical Dipole Trap for Cold Neutral Atoms with an Optical Waveguide Coupler
Abstract
An integrated optical dipole trap uses two-color (red and blue-detuned) traveling evanescent wave fields for trapping cold neutral atoms. To achieve longitudinal confinement, we propose using an integrated optical waveguide coupler, which provides a potential gradient along the beam propagation direction sufficient to confine atoms. This integrated optical dipole trap can support an atomic ensemble with a large optical depth due to its small mode area. Its quasi-TE0 waveguide mode has an advantage over the HE11 mode of a nanofiber, with little inhomogeneous Zeeman broadening at the trapping region. The longitudinal confinement eliminates the need for a 1-D optical lattice, reducing collisional blockaded atomic loading, potentially producing larger ensembles. The waveguide trap allows for scalability and integrability with nano-fabrication technology. We analyze the potential performance of such integrated atom traps.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1303.2922,
title = {Integrated Optical Dipole Trap for Cold Neutral Atoms with an Optical Waveguide Coupler},
author = {J. Lee and D. H. Park and S. Mittal and M. Dagenais and S. L. Rolston},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1303.2922},
year = {2013}
}