Optimization of laser-focused deposition lines: Rydberg atoms

Optimally narrow nanoscale lines are computationally obtained for Rb Rydberg atoms deposited on surfaces. The use of optimized polychromatic fields is shown to allow lines as narrow as 1 nm in the absence of transverse velocities and shown to counter the deleterious effects of transverse velocities in laser cooled beams. Specifically, lines as narrow as 6.5 nm wide are obtained in the presence of transverse velocities associated with a temperature of 1 mK. Using this approach it is possible to deposit a single narrow line, even when the atomic beam is bigger than the period of the focusing lens, using as few as two, relatively weak, laser fields.