Optical dipole traps and atomic waveguides based on Bessel light beams

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the use of Bessel light beams generated using axicons for creating optical dipole traps for cold atoms and atomic waveguiding. Zeroth-order Bessel beams can be used to produce highly elongated dipole traps, allowing for the study of one-dimensional trapped gases and realization of a Tonks gas of impenetrable bosons. First-order Bessel beams are shown to be able to produce tight confined atomic waveguides over centimeter distances.