Ponderomotive optical lattice for Rydberg atoms

We propose to use the ponderomotive energy of Ryeberg electrons in standing-wave light fields to form optical lattice for Ryeberg atoms. Application of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation shows that, with readily achievable experimental parameters, atoms in any Rydberg state can be trapped. Realization of this scheme would extend the benefits of atom trapping to highly excited atoms.