Atom dynamics between conducting plates

The dynamics of atoms subject to laser light propagating between perfectly conducting parallel plates is investigated. In the semiclassical approximation the motion of atoms in this context is governed by a vim der Waals-type potential, together with a dynamic dipole potential that comes into play as soon as a cavity mode is excited. In addition, the atoms become subject to an average dissipative (spontaneous) force associated with the cavity mode that always acts parallel to the plates. We show that, by a suitable choice of field intensity and detuning, the total transverse potential can be used to confine atoms in transverse vibrational states, while their motion in the parallel direction is controlled by the dissipative force. Significant variations of the characteristics of the system with atom velocity, dipole orientation, and type of excited cavity mode are emphasized. These features are illustrated using typical parameters for the case of sodium atoms between parallel plates with subwavelength separations.