Coherent atomic waveguides from hollow optical fibers: Quantized atomic motion

Abstract

We present a theoretical analysis of coherent atomic motion through a straight atomic waveguide constructed from a hollow optical fiber. Atoms are guided by the evanescent light field at the fiber's interior glass-vacuum interface. The atoms' internal structure is modeled by a ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{g}}$=0 to ${\mathit{J}}_{\mathit{e}}$=1 transition. The atomic wave functions are determined and the loss rates due to spontaneous emission, tunneling to the wall, and nonadiabatic transitions are estimated. The influence of Casimir-Polder forces is considered. We conclude with a discussion of the feasibility of the proposed waveguides.