Blue-detuned optical ring trap for Bose-Einstein condensates based on conical refraction
We present a novel approach for the optical manipulation of neutral atoms in annular light structures produced by the phenomenon of conical refraction occurring in biaxial optical crystals. For a beam focused to a plane behind the crystal, the focal plane exhibits two concentric bright rings enclosi...
| Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | article |
| Publication Date: | 2015 |
| Country: | España |
| Institution: | Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona |
| Repository: | Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB |
| Language: | English |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:ddd.uab.cat:203902 |
| Online Access: | https://ddd.uab.cat/record/203902 https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1364/OE.23.001638 |
| Access Level: | Open access |
| Keyword: | Analytical expressions Bose-Einstein condensates Conical refraction Light structures Optical crystals Optical manipulation Three dimensions Trapping frequency |
| Summary: | We present a novel approach for the optical manipulation of neutral atoms in annular light structures produced by the phenomenon of conical refraction occurring in biaxial optical crystals. For a beam focused to a plane behind the crystal, the focal plane exhibits two concentric bright rings enclosing a ring of null intensity called the Poggendorff ring. We demonstrate both theoretically and experimentally that the Poggendorff dark ring of conical refraction is confined in three dimensions by regions of higher intensity. We derive the positions of the confining intensity maxima and minima and discuss the application of the Poggendorff ring for trapping ultra-cold atoms using the repulsive dipole force of blue-detuned light. We give analytical expressions for the trapping frequencies and potential depths along both the radial and the axial directions. Finally, we present realistic numerical simulations of the dynamics of a ⁸⁷Rb Bose-Einstein condensate trapped inside the Poggendorff ring which are in good agreement with corresponding experimental results. |
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