Atom trapping tractor beam could herald new era of quantum capabilities

According to the University, the tractor beam – or light-driven energy trap - pulls atoms into a microscopic hole at the centre of an optical fibre, opening the way for new quantum experiments that could lead to new secure communications or advanced sensing technologies.

Published in Physical Review Applied, the researchers from the University's Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS) said this is the first time that scientists have been able to demonstrate a highly efficient 'waveguide trap'.

Ashby Hilton, the PhD student who developed the technology, said: "The trap is made of invisible infra-red light. The beam grabs hold of atoms that are floating in a chamber that is almost completely emptied of gas.

"Every atom that enters the tractor beam is pulled into the fibre - there is no escape. And once sucked into the interior of the optical fibre the atoms can be held for long periods of time. Our experiments show that we can very precisely control light to produce exactly the right conditions to control atoms."