Towards all-optical atom chips based on optical waveguides

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical design of all-optical atom chips using optical waveguides, focusing on stable atom guiding, surface traps, and coherent beam splitters based on evanescent light fields.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for all-optical atom chips utilizing two-colour evanescent light fields in suspended optical waveguides, emphasizing waveguide stability and coherent matter wave manipulation.

Findings

Stable atom guiding in waveguides of widths larger than the wavelength.

Feasibility of coherent Bragg beam splitters using optical gratings.

Analysis of single-mode regimes for evanescent-wave atom guiding.

Abstract

Coherent guiding of atoms in two-colour evanescent light fields of two main single modes of suspended optical rib waveguides is investigated theoretically. Special attention is paid to waveguides of widths larger than the wavelength of light, which provide better lateral stability of the surface traps and waveguides, and can be used in coherent Bragg beam splitters for matter waves, based on optical gratings formed by interference of evanescent light waves of two crossed optical waveguides. A single-mode regime for evanescent-wave waveguides for atoms is investigated. The general structure and key elements of all-optical atom chips are discussed.