Atom walking in a traveling-wave light

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate mechanical motion of ultra-slow single atoms considering each atom is coherently coupled to a traveling-wave light. The main noise in this system is originated from Doppler broadening due to the continuous momentum distribution in atom wave packet. Here, it is proved that the Doppler broadening could be effectively suppressed in strong coupling regime. Under the coherent coupling, individual neutral atoms periodically walk in a definite direction. Direction of the motion depends on occupation of the atom in its two internal states related to the optical transition, since the atom would be affected by attractive or repulsive forces depending on the internal states. It is analogous to the electric force acting on negatively or positively charged particles. We explain them with spin–orbit coupling of atoms which is hidden in our Hamiltonian. These results have potential applications for the construction of future atomic devices.