Modifying atom-surface vdW interactions with light

ORAL

Abstract

Electromagnetic radiation can modify van der Waals interactions. We predict how the atom-surface interaction potentials should depend on light frequency, intensity, and polarization. We also present progress towards observing this effect with an experiment based on atom diffraction from a nanograting that is illuminated by a laser.

Authors

  • Alex Cronin

    • University of Arizona
  • Vincent Lonij

    • University of Arizona
    • University of Arizona, Tucson
  • John Perreault

    • JILA