Trapping of cold atoms by the quadrupole force
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
2007-05-23 v1
Abstract
Cold atoms are traditionally trapped by the dipole force in periodically spaced potential wells induced by the standing laser field. We derive here a theory beyond the conventional dipole approximation which provides field/atom coupling potential terms that so far have not been taken into consideration in theoretical or experimental studies. We show that for some atoms for specific laser parameters despite the absence of dipole transition laser trapping is still possible due to the quadrupole force. Illustrative numerical calculations for Ca and Na trapped by the quadrupole force are given.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0601652,
title = {Trapping of cold atoms by the quadrupole force},
author = {Nimrod Moiseyev and Milan Sindelka and Lorenz S. Cederbaum},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0601652},
year = {2007}
}