Atom microtraps based on near-field Fresnel diffraction

We propose and present a quantitative analysis of neutral atom microtraps based on optical near fields produced by the diffraction of a laser wave on small apertures in a thin screen. We show that near-field atom microtraps are capable of storing atoms in micron-sized regions, with estimated trap lifetimes of about 1 s, when using a moderate laser intensity of about 10 W/cm(2). The depth of the proposed Fresnel atom microtraps is about 0.1 mK. An array of such atom microtraps could have applications to site-selective manipulation of cold atoms.