Probing Surface-Bound Atoms with Quantum Nanophotonics

TL;DR

This paper explores the quantum states of atoms weakly bound to a nanofiber surface, demonstrating their quantization and potential for optical control, which could advance quantum communication and surface physics research.

Contribution

It theoretically shows quantized motional states of surface-bound atoms can be achieved with optimized nanofiber properties despite phonon decoherence.

Findings

Atomic motional states are quantized near nanofibers.

Nanofiber-guided light can influence atomic states.

Heterodyne fluorescence spectroscopy can probe atomic motion.

Abstract

Quantum control of atoms at ultrashort distances from surfaces would open a new paradigm in quantum optics and offer a novel tool for the investigation of near-surface physics. Here, we investigate the motional states of atoms that are bound weakly to the surface of a hot optical nanofiber. We theoretically demonstrate that with optimized mechanical properties of the nanofiber these states are quantized despite phonon-induced decoherence. We further show that it is possible to influence their properties with additional nanofiber-guided light fields and suggest heterodyne fluorescence spectroscopy to probe the spectrum of the quantized atomic motion. Extending the optical control of atoms to smaller atom-surface separations could create opportunities for quantum communication and instigate the convergence of surface physics, quantum optics, and the physics of cold atoms.