What is Atom & Nano-Optics?

Atom optics is a new type of matter-wave optics (along with electron and neutron optics). Atom optics is subdivided into two types: (a) atom optics based on the mechanical micro and nano structures and (b) atom optics based on the use of the electric, magnetic and laser fields. Atom optics deals with diffraction of atomic waves and their interference, focusing of atomic waves, mirror reflection, atomic localization in small space volumes (atom traps), and the increase in the phase density of atomic ensembles. The main interest to atom optics comes from fact that atomic particles can be used (1) to explore the idea of wave-particle duality with “non-elemental” particles, (2) to test the fundamental laws of physics, and (3) to reach simultaneously extremely low temperature and high atom density (the Bose-Einstein condensation and other collective quantum phenomena). Practical interest lies in the opportunity to create an atom microprobe with a high resolution due to its very short de Broglie wavelength and to minimize the damage to an investigated object by using a low atom-energy. Among many possible applications of atom optics, one that is potentially important is micro and nano fabrication of material structuresis is the atom lithography. Atom nano optics is a part of atom optics based on the use of the laser nano fields. From general physical considerations, it is clear that spatially localized nano fields are more favorable for constructing elements of atom optics.
Figure schematically illustrates atom trapping in nanometer-sized regions spaced at distances smaller than the wavelength of light (Balykin, Letokhov and Klimov, Optics & Photonics News, 4, 33, 2005)