Abstract

We theoretically investigate the feasibility of using intensity distributions of light of a single laser beam diffracted by a circular aperture as optical dipole traps for cold neutral atoms. Localized and cylindrically symmetric traps on the central axis of the circular aperture exist for both blue- and red-detuned laser light. Experimental mapping of the spots of interest using CO2 laser light demonstrates the existence of these light distributions for laboratory conditions and their agreement with theoretical predictions.

Disciplines

Physics

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This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the American Physical Society. The following article appeared in Physical Review.

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URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/phy_fac/247