Photon localization barrier can be overcome

✍ Scribed by P. Saari; M. Menert; H. Valtna

• Publisher: Elsevier Science
• Year: 2005
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 326 KB
• Volume: 246
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0030-4018
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optcom.2004.11.020

✦ Synopsis

In contradistinction to a widespread belief that the spatial localization of photons is restricted by a power-law falloff of the photon energy density, Bialynicki-Birula [Phys. Rev. Lett. 80 (1998) 5247] has proved that any stronger -up to an almost exponential -falloff is allowed. We are showing that for certain specifically designed cylindrical one-photon states the localization is even better in lateral directions. If the photon state is built from the so-called focus wave mode, the falloff in the waist cross-section plane turns out to be quadratically exponential (Gaussian) and such strong localization persists in the course of propagation.