State-selective optical near-field resonant ionization spectroscopy of atoms near a dielectric surface

J Microsc. 2001 Apr;202(Pt 1):255-60. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2818.2001.00799.x.

Abstract

Spin-sensitive optical near-field microscopy and spectroscopy are proposed based on the study on the conserved quantities in optical near-field interactions of atoms with dielectric surfaces. A two-step photoionization spectra of Cs atoms resolving hyperfine structures are demonstrated near a planar dielectric surface by using evanescent waves. These techniques of state/spin-selective excitation and highly sensitive detection, combined with the techniques of optical pumping, will open up possibilities of space- and polarization-sensitive detection of optical near-fields using atomic probes. This novel method provides us with a useful technique for the observation of polarization nature of the optical near-field and controlling the spin states of mesoscopic electronic systems.