Abstract
Optical near field realizes the precise control of atomic motion. As the first step, guiding of atoms through micron-sized hollow optical fiber is demonstrated. The two-step laser-photoionization spectroscopy shows the frequency dispersion properties of dipole interaction between atoms and optical near field. The species- and state-selective guidance is applied to in-line spatial separation of two stable Rb isotopes. In addition, the cavity QED (Quantum Electrodynamics) effect inside a dielectric cylinder is observed for the first time. The atom fiber has the faculty of carrying atoms to an arbitrary point over a long distance and then is useful as a novel scheme of optically controlled atomic deposition. The feasibility of creating dot-shaped nano-scale structures is illustrated through measurement of spatial distribution of the guided atom flux. Finally, a method of manipulating atoms beyond the diffraction limit of light waves is presented including sharpened optical fibers and an atomic funnel with optical near field.
