Atom optics

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Atom optics (or atomic optics) is the area of physics which deals with beams of cold, slowly moving neutral atoms, as a special case of a particle beam.

Like an optical beam, the atomic beam may exhibit diffraction and interference, and can be focused with Fresnel lens [1] or a concave atomic mirror [2].

Several scientific groups work in this field [3] [4].

Until 2006, the resolution of imaging systems based on atomic beams was not better than that of an optical microscope, mainly due to the poor performance of the focusing elements. Such elements use small numerical aperture; usually, atomic mirrors use grazing incidence, and the reflecticity drops drasticcally with increase of the grazing angle; for efficient normal reflection, atoms should be ultra-cold (Bose-Einstein Condensate), and the deal with such atoms likes a trapping rather than an optics.

Recent scientific publications about Atom Nano-Optics, evanescent field lenses [5] and ridged mirrors [6][7] show significant improvement since the beginning of the 21st century. In particular, an atomic hologram can be realized [8].

More bibliography about Atom Optics can be found at the Resource Letter [9]. Also, there is an updating bibliography list about atom mirrors at [10].

[edit] See also

[edit] References and external links

  1. ^ R.B.Doak; R.E.Grisenti, S.Rehbein, G.Schmahl, J.P.Toennies, and Ch. Wöll (1999). "Towards Realization of an Atomic de Broglie Microscope: Helium Atom Focusing Using Fresnel Zone Plates" (subscription required). PRL 83: 4229–4232. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.83.4229. 
  2. ^ J.J.Berkhout; O.J.Luiten, I.D.Setija, T.W.Hijmans, T.Mizusaki, and J.T.M.Walraven (1989). "Quantum reflection: Focusing of hydrogen atoms with a concave mirror" (subscription required). PRL 63 (16): 1689–1692. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.63.1689. 
  3. ^ Atom Optics at the University of Queensland (Australia) homepage http://www.physics.uq.edu.au/atomoptics/
  4. ^ Atom Optics, Coherence and Ultra Cold Atoms at the Institute for Laser Science (Japan) homepage http://www.ils.uec.ac.jp/Eatomoptics.html
  5. ^ V.Balykin, V.Klimov, and V.Letokhov. OPN, March 2005, p.44-48; http://www.osa-opn.org/abstract.cfm?URI=OPN-16-3-44
  6. ^ H.Oberst; D.Kouznetsov, K.Shimizu, J.Fujita, and F. Shimizu (2005). "Fresnel Diffraction Mirror for an Atomic Wave". PRL 94: 013203. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.94.013203. 
  7. ^ D.Kouznetsov; H. Oberst, K. Shimizu, A. Neumann, Y. Kuznetsova, J.-F. Bisson, K. Ueda, S. R. J. Brueck (2006). "Ridged atomic mirrors and atomic nanoscope". JOPB 39: 1605–1623. doi:10.1088/0953-4075/39/7/005. 
  8. ^ Shimizu; J.Fujita (Mar 2002). "Reflection-Type Hologram for Atoms" (subscription required). PRL 88: 123201. American Physical Society. 
  9. ^ B.Rohwedder. Resource Letter AON-1: Atom optics, a tool for nanofabrication. American Journal of Physics v.75, Issue 5, p.394-406 http://scitation.aip.org/journals/doc/AJPIAS-ft/vol_75/iss_5/394_1.html DOI:10.1119/1.2673209
  10. ^ Atom Mirror Bibliography (list is updated frequently) http://www.phys.lsu.edu/~jdowling/aobib.html
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