Light reflected from a conical mirror produces an intensity gradient that can be used to focus atoms to a single spot. Within the Raman-Nath approximation the position of the focal plane, peak atomic density, and spot size have been determined for a range of field strengths. Theoretical estimates of the field strength needed to focus atoms using a conical lens are found to be three to four orders of magnitude lower than that needed for focusing atoms using standing-wave fields.

• Received 24 November 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.58.2413