Title: Localization of ions within one-, two- and three-dimensional Coulomb crystals by a standing wave optical potential,
Abstract: We demonstrate light-induced localization of Coulomb-interacting particles in
multi-dimensional structures. Subwavelength localization of ions within small
multi-dimensional Coulomb crystals by an intracavity optical standing wave
field is evidenced by measuring the difference in scattering inside
symmetrically red- and blue-detuned optical lattices and is observed even for
ions undergoing substantial radial micromotion. These results are promising
steps towards the structural control of ion Coulomb crystals by optical fields
as well as for complex many-body simulations with ion crystals or for the
investigation of heat transfer at the nanoscale, and have potential
applications for ion-based cavity quantum electrodynamics, cavity optomechanics
and ultracold ion chemistry.