Optical vortex singularities and atomic circulation in evanescent waves

V. E. Lembessis; D. L. Andrews; M. Babiker; S. Al-Awfi

doi:10.1117/12.874926

16 February 2011 Optical vortex singularities and atomic circulation in evanescent waves

V. E. Lembessis, D. L. Andrews, M. Babiker, S. Al-Awfi

Proceedings Volume 7950, Complex Light and Optical Forces V; 795007 (2011) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.874926
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2011, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

The total internal reflection of an optical beam with a phase singularity can generate evanescent light that displays a rotational character. At a metalized surface, in particular, field components extending into the vacuum region possess vortex properties in addition to surface plasmon features. These surface plasmonic vortices retain the phase singularity of the input light, also mapping its associated orbital angular momentum. In addition to a two-dimensional patterning on the surface, the strongly localized intensity distribution decays with distance perpendicular to the film surface. The detailed characteristics of these surface optical vortex structures depend on the incident beam parameters and the dielectric mismatch of the media. The static interference of the resulting surface vortices, achieved by using beams suitably configured to restrict lateral in-plane motion, can be shown to give rise to optical forces that produce interesting dynamical effects on atoms or small molecules trapped in the vicinity of the surface. As well as trapping within the surface plasmonic fields, model calculations reveal that the corresponding atomic trajectories will typically exhibit a variety of rotational and vibrational effects, significantly depending on the extent and sign of detuning from resonance.

Citation Download Citation

V. E. Lembessis, D. L. Andrews, M. Babiker, and S. Al-Awfi "Optical vortex singularities and atomic circulation in evanescent waves", Proc. SPIE 7950, Complex Light and Optical Forces V, 795007 (16 February 2011); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.874926

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available