  We propose an optical dipole trap for cold neutral atoms based on the
electric field produced from the evanescent fields in a hollow rectangular slot
cut through an optical nanofibre. In particular, we discuss the trap
performance in relation to laser-cooled rubidium atoms and show that a far
off-resonance, blue-detuned field combined with the attractive surface-atom
interaction potential from the dielectric material forms a stable trapping
configuration. With the addition of a red-detuned field, we demonstrate how
three dimensional confinement of the atoms at a distance of 140 - 200 nm from
the fibre surface within the slot can be accomplished. This scheme facilitates
optical coupling between the atoms and the nanofibre that could be exploited
for quantum communication schemes using ensembles of laser-cooled atoms.
