High-Resolution Two-Dimensional Atomic Localization Via Tunable Surface Plasmon Polaritons

The two-dimensional (2D) atomic localization is theoretically investigated via tunable surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), generated on the metal (Ag) surface coupled to a quantum coherent three-level (lambda)-type medium ((^{87})Rb) embedded as a dielectric host. Such a useful scheme for highly precise atomic localization is reported by using the absorption spectrum of SPPs. Owing to space-dependent light–matter interaction, the sharp localized peaks are observed in a single wavelength domain of 2D space with maximum probability. By properly varying the system parameters, the precision and numbers of the localized peaks are controlled. Consequently, highly efficient and high-resolution atomic localization can be achieved in a region smaller than (lambda /20times lambda /20). The spatial resolution of atomic localization is greatly improved as compared to the previously studied cases. These results may have potential useful applications in the fields of quantum nanoplasmonics, nanolithography, and nanophotonics.