Atom localization by damping spectrum of surface plasmon polariton waves.

The damping spectrum of surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is significantly enhanced for atom localization in regions beneath λ / 20 × λ / 20. By changing the phases and directions of control fields, two and single localization peaks are observed in the SPP damping spectrum. Circular and elliptical localization peaks are predominantly controlled in the λ 2 areal region of − π ≤ k x ≤ π and − π ≤ k y ≤ π. Additionally, craters and sharp peaks resembling localization can be modified and controlled within the two-dimensional space of λ 2 with a resolution smaller than λ 2 / 400. These modifications may be advantageous to the trapping of neutral atoms, nanolithography, and plasmonics technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]