Optical dipole trap

A far-detuned laser produces an atomic AC Stark shift approximately $U=-\mathrm{Re}\alpha (\omega )|E_0{|}^2/4$. Its spatial gradient creates a conservative dipole force. For a suitable red-detuned ground-state atom, high intensity is an energy minimum and can confine several hyperfine states without relying on nonzero permanent magnetic moments. Photon scattering, differential light shifts and intensity noise remain limitations. This atomic use is more specific than a general dielectric-particle optical trap.