Trapping of atoms by the counter-propagating stochastic light waves

Abstract

We calculate the temperature of the atoms in the field of counter-propagating stochastic light waves (the chaotic-field model). We show that the temperature of the atomic ensemble depends on the autocorrelation time of the waves, their intensity and the detuning of the carrier frequency of the waves from the atomic transition frequency. The field can form a one-dimensional trap for atoms, as is readily seen from our previous investigation of light-pressure force on an atom in counter-propagating stochastic light waves [V. I. Romanenko, B. W. Shore, L. P. Yatsenko, Opt. Commun. 268 (2006) 121–132]. We carry out numerical simulation of the atomic ensemble using parameters appropriate for sodium atoms. Analyzing the known investigation of the light-pressure force on atoms and their motion in the counter-propagating polychromatic waves, we suggest an hypothesis that any polychromatic counter-propagating waves that have a discrete spectrum, or waves described by a stationary stochastic process, one of which repeats the other, can form a trap for atoms.