Abstract

Recently, much attention has been paid to atom optics. An essential feature of this field is to provide ensembles of atoms in a well-defined quantum state with a narrow velocity spread. Several groups have demonstrated optical components for atom beams by use of the mechanical effects of laser light. We report on the experimental realization of a new scheme to perform Zeeman state selection of cold atoms with no heating and no beam deflection. This is implemented using longitudinal magnetic field gradients that steer the paramagnetic atoms via an axial Stern-Gerlach force.

© 1998 IEEE