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.
Highlights
Obtaining optical control over individual atoms close to surfaces would enable significant advances in fundamental research
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
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
Summary
Nanofiber phonon modes and could, for instance, be (a) realized by optimizing the nanofiber tapers [41]. In contrast to nanofiber-based two-color traps [15,16], we consider a cylindrically symmetric potential without a repulsive optical force to prevent the atom from accessing the nanofiber surface. The exchange interaction becomes relevant when electrons orbiting the atom begin to overlap with electrons in the nanofiber surface [21,51,53]. It causes a strong repulsion of the atom immediately at the nanofiber surface. The hybrid lightand surface-induced potential is realized by launching into the nanofiber a circularly polarized, guided, running-wave light field with a free-space wavelength of 1064 nm (red detuned relative to the cesium D2 line) and a power Pr 1⁄4 1 mW. The radial motiopnaffiffil states have frequencies ων and wave functions ψνðrÞ ≡ rhrjνi that are obtained by solving the time-independent Schrödinger equation:
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