Laser guiding of cold atoms in photonic crystals

The possibility of using photonic crystals with a lattice defect for the la ser guiding of cold atoms is analysed. We have found a configuration of a p hotonic-crystal lattice and a defect ensuring the distribution of a potenti al in the defect mode of the photonic crystal allowing the guiding of cold atoms along the defect due to the dipole force acting on atoms. Based on qu antitative estimates, we have demonstrated that photonic crystals with a la ttice defect permit the guiding of atoms with much higher transverse temper atures and a much higher transverse localisation degree than in the case of hollow-core fibres.