We construct three-dimensional solutions of Maxwell’s equations that describe Gaussian light beams focused by a strong lens. We investigate the interaction of such beams with single atoms in free space and the interplay between angular and quantum properties of the scattered radiation. We compare the exact results with those obtained with paraxial light beams and from a standard input-output formalism. We put our results in the context of quantum information processing with single atoms.

• Received 31 May 2000

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.63.023809