A dielectric microcylinder makes a nanocylindrical trap for atoms and ions

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates theoretically that a dielectric microcylinder can create a highly localized electromagnetic field region suitable for trapping cold atoms and ions, by exploiting interference of evanescent and propagating waves.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of using symmetric plane wave interference with a dielectric microcylinder to generate a nanocylindrical optical trap for atoms and ions.

Findings

Interference of plane waves enhances evanescent wave impact.

A localized electromagnetic field region is formed at a distance from the microcylinder.

Potential application as a linear optical trap for cold atoms and ions.

Abstract

In the diffraction of visible light by a dielectric microcylinder packages of evanescent waves always arise. However, a single-wave incidence corresponds to rather small impact of evanescent waves outside the cylinder. In this paper, we theoretically show that a symmetric pair of plane waves impinging a glass microcylinder corresponds to much higher impact of the evanescent waves. Namely, the interference of the evanescent waves with the propagating ones results in the suppression of the electromagnetic field in an area with very small cross section. This area is located in free space at a substantial distance from the {rear side of the microcylinder and along its axis}. It may serve a linear optical trap for cold atoms and ions.