Stimulated focusing and deflection of an atomic beam using picosecond laser pulses

Using the stimulated force exerted by counterpropagating {π} pulses from a mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser we have focused a beam of laser-cooled cesium atoms along one dimension to about 57% of its original width in the detection zone. We determined the force profile outside and inside the overlap region of the pulses and found agreement with an earlier theoretical prediction. The scheme does not require an effective two-level system and is therefore suitable for a large variety of elements.