Single atom trap using a miniature spherical mirror

We fabricate a miniature spherical mirror[1] which is used to tightly focus an optical dipole trap for neutral atoms. We are able to trap and detect a single atom with high efficiency.[2] The mirror serves both for focusing the dipole trap and as a high numerical aperture optic for collecting atomic fluorescence.

Single-atom miniature mirror trap
References:
  1. [1] Roy, A., Barrett, M.D., Fabrication of glass micro-cavities for cavity quantum electrodynamics experiments. Applied Physics Letters 99, 171112 (2011).
  2. [2] Roy, A., Bah, A.S.J., Barrett, M.D., The trapping and detection of single atoms using a spherical mirror. New Journal of Physics 14, 093007 (2012).