Abstract

Atomic beam focusing by a gradient (dipole) force of the near resonant first order Bessel beam is considered in the paraxial approximation. The first order Bessel beam (J₁) is a nondivergent laser beam whose intensity profile is the square of the first-order Bessel function of the first kind. A co-propagating J₁ beam, tuned above resonance, provides the minimum rate of spontaneous emission on axis where the intensity is minimum. It has a steeper intensity gradient and a longer interaction range than does TEM₀₁*. Numerical results for the focal length and the atomic beam density distribution in the focal plane are presented. Focusing limitations due to aberrations are discussed. The results are compared with those of the TEM₀₁* mode beam.

© 1992 Optical Society of America