Three-dimensional atom localization via spontaneous emission in a four-level atom

We investigate high-precision three-dimensional (3D) atom localization in a coherently-driven, fourlevel atomic system via spontaneous emission. Space-dependent atom-field interactions allow atomic position information to be obtained by measuring spontaneous emission. By properly varying system parameters, atoms within a certain range can be localized with nearly a probability of 100% and a maximal resolution of ~ 0.04λ. This scheme may be useful for the high-precision measurement of the center-of-mass wave functions of moving atoms and in atom nanolithography.