Atom localization via controlled spontaneous emission in a five-level atomic system

We investigate the one- and two-dimensional atom localization behaviors via spontaneous emission in a coherently driven five-level atomic system by means of a radio-frequency field driving a hyperfine transition. It is found that the detecting probability and precision of atom localization behaviors can be significantly improved via adjusting the system parameters. More importantly, the two-dimensional atom localization patterns reveal that the maximal probability of finding an atom within the sub-wavelength domain of the standing waves can reach unity when the corresponding conditions are satisfied. As a result, our scheme may be helpful in laser cooling or the atom nano-lithography via atom localization.

► One- and two-dimensional atom localization behaviors via spontaneous emission in five-level atoms are investigated.
► An assisting radio-frequency field is used to control the atom localization behaviors.
► High-precision and high-resolution two-dimensional atom localization can be realized in this scheme.