Optical forces on two-level atoms by subcycle pulsed focused vector fields

The optical forces on neutral two-level atoms by the subcycle pulsed focused vector field are investigated by numerically solving the density-matrix equations without the rotating-wave approximation. The phenomena of focusing or defocusing of the neutral atom are analyzed. For the transverse optical force, an acceleration of an atom that is 10 orders of magnitude higher than the Earth's gravitational acceleration g can be obtained. The optical force can change from a focusing force to a defocusing force depending on the initial state of the atom. The optical potential may be used to trap the neutral two-level atoms in the experiment of cold atoms. DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.87.043401