Atom guiding along Laguerre-Gaussian and Bessel light beams

Abstract.

We study and analyse the optical dipole potential for guiding atoms in various forms of both Laguerre-Gaussian and Bessel light beams. We find that Laguerre-Gaussian beams of high azimuthal index are advantageous for focusing atoms. We identify that high-order Bessel beams offer significant advantages for atom transport over extended distances when compared to Laguerre-Gaussian light beams. Possible future experimental methods to channel atoms into a high-order Bessel beam via a Laguerre-Gaussian light beam are discussed.