  We demonstrate the in situ detection of cold 87 Rb atoms near a dielectric
surface using the absorption of a weak, resonant evanescent wave. We have used
this technique in time of flight experiments determining the density of atoms
falling on the surface. A quantitative understanding of the measured curve was
obtained using a detailed calculation of the evanescent intensity distribution.
We have also used it to detect atoms trapped near the surface in a
standing-wave optical dipole potential. This trap was loaded by inelastic
bouncing on a strong, repulsive evanescent potential. We estimate that we trap
1.5 x 10 4 atoms at a density 100 times higher than the falling atoms.
