Momentum diffusion of atoms and nanoparticles in an optical trap formed by sequences of counter-propagating light pulses

摘要

The motion of atoms and nanoparticles in a trap formed by sequences ofcounter-propagating light pulses has been analyzed. The atomic state isdescribed by a wave function constructed with the use of the Monte Carlomethod, whereas the atomic motion is considered in the framework of classicalmechanics. The effects of the momentum diffusion associated with thespontaneous radiation emission by excited atoms and the pulsed character of theatom-to-field interaction on the motion of a trapped atom or nanoparticle areestimated. The motion of a trapped atom is shown to be slowed down for properlychosen parameters of the atom-to-field interaction, so that the atom oscillatesaround the antinodes of a non-stationary standing wave formed bycounter-propagating light pulses at the point where they "collide".