  We study the optimal focusing of two-level atoms with a near resonant
standing wave light, using both classical and quantum treatments of the
problem. Operation of the focusing setup is considered as a nonlinear spatial
squeezing of atoms in the thin- and thick-lens regimes. It is found that the
near-resonant standing wave focuses the atoms with a reduced background in
comparison with far-detuned light fields. For some parameters, the quantum
atomic distribution shows even better localization than the classical one.
Spontaneous emission effects are included via the technique of quantum Monte
Carlo wave function simulations. We investigate the extent to which
non-adiabatic and spontaneous emission effects limit the achievable minimal
size of the deposited structures.
