A Nanofiber-Based Optical Conveyor Belt for Cold Atoms

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel method for transporting cold cesium atoms along an optical nanofiber using a two-color evanescent field, enabling controlled movement of atoms over millimeter distances for quantum applications.

Contribution

It introduces a nanofiber-based optical conveyor belt utilizing a two-color evanescent field for precise atom transport, a technique not previously demonstrated.

Findings

Successful transport of cold cesium atoms over millimeter distances.

Evaluation of transport efficiency and limitations.

Discussion of potential quantum technology applications.

Abstract

We demonstrate optical transport of cold cesium atoms over millimeter-scale distances along an optical nanofiber. The atoms are trapped in a one-dimensional optical lattice formed by a two-color evanescent field surrounding the nanofiber, far red- and blue-detuned with respect to the atomic transition. The blue-detuned field is a propagating nanofiber-guided mode while the red-detuned field is a standing-wave mode which leads to the periodic axial confinement of the atoms. Here, this standing wave is used for transporting the atoms along the nanofiber by mutually detuning the two counter-propagating fields which form the standing wave. The performance and limitations of the nanofiber-based transport are evaluated and possible applications are discussed.