Intended for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduates with some basic knowledge of optics and quantum mechanics, this text begins with a review of the relevant results of quantum mechanics, before turning to the electromagnetic interactions involved in slowing and trapping atoms and ions, in both magnetic and optical traps. The concluding chapters discuss a broad range of applications, from atomic clocks and studies of collision processes, to diffraction and interference of atomic beams at optical lattices and Bose-Einstein condensation.

In 1988, before the beginning of the current contract period, our group discovered that sodium atoms could be laser cooled well below the lower limit (the 'Doppler limit') predicted by the then generally accepted theory. Two main consequences of that discovery were a revamping of the theory of laser cooling and a renewed interest in the applications of laser cooling because of the far lower temperatures. Both of these effects are continuing in full force today, and this report is in large part a record of our group's continuing involvement in the new developments in laser cooling during the past three years. The work of the NIST laser cooling group falls functionally into the categories of: investigating laser cooling mechanisms; studies of collisions between laser cooled atoms; development of new trapping techniques for neutral atoms; study of the fluorescent spectrum of laser cooled atoms; manipulation of atoms and atom optics; development of coherent sources of vacuum ultraviolet light for laser cooling and high resolution spectroscopy; application of laser cooling and trapping technology to atomic frequency standards.

This important volume contains selected papers and extensive commentaries on laser trapping and manipulation of neutral particles using radiation pressure forces. Such techniques apply to a variety of small particles, such as atoms, molecules, macroscopic dielectric particles, living cells, and organelles within cells. These optical methods have had a revolutionary impact on the fields of atomic and molecular physics, biophysics, and many aspects of nanotechnology.In atomic physics, the trapping and cooling of atoms down to nanokelvins and even picokelvin temperatures are possible. These are the lowest temperatures in the universe. This made possible the first demonstration of Bose-Einstein condensation of atomic and molecular vapors. Some of the applications are high precision atomic clocks, gyroscopes, the measurement of gravity, cryptology, atomic computers, cavity quantum electrodynamics and coherent atom lasers.A major application in biophysics is the study of the mechanical properties of the many types of motor molecules, mechanoenzymes, and other macromolecules responsible for the motion of organelles within cells and the locomotion of entire cells. Unique in vitro and in vivo assays study the driving forces, stepping motion, kinetics, and efficiency of these motors as they move along the cell's cytoskeleton. Positional and temporal resolutions have been achieved, making possible the study of RNA and DNA polymerases, as they undergo their various copying, backtracking, and error correcting functions on a single base pair basis.Many applications in nanotechnology involve particle and cell sorting, particle rotation, microfabrication of simple machines, microfluidics, and other micrometer devices. The number of applications continues to grow at a rapid rate.The author is the discoverer of optical trapping and optical tweezers. With his colleagues, he first demonstrated optical levitation, the trapping of atoms, and tweezer trapping and manipulation of living cells and biological particles.This is the only review volume covering the many fields of optical trapping and manipulation. The intention is to provide a selective guide to the literature and to teach how optical traps really work.

Laser cooling is an important emerging technology in such areas as the cooling of semiconductors. The book examines and suggests solutions for a range of problems in the development of miniature solid-state laser refrigerators, self-cooling solid-state lasers and optical echo-processors. It begins by looking at the basic theory of laser cooling before considering such topics as self-cooling of active elements of solid-state lasers, laser cooling of solid-state information media of optical echo-processors, and problems of cooling solid-state quantum processors.Laser Cooling of Solids is an important contribution to the development of compact laser-powered cryogenic refrigerators, both for the academic community and those in the microelectronics and other industries. - Provides a timely review of this promising field of research and discusses the fundamentals and theory of laser cooling - Particular attention is given to the physics of cooling processes and the mathematical description of these processes - Reviews previous experimental investigations in laser cooling and presents progress towards key potential applications

Written by internationally recognized experts, the high quality of the articles provides dependable information on topics of current interest in industrial and academic research as well as background knowledge. Covering both theoretical and applied optics, each article has not only a list of references cited in the text but also a guide to further reading. Each article also concludes with a glossary containing the technical terms necessary for the topic under consideration. Throughout, the subject matter is treated in a tutorial, user-friendly way rather than as a pure reference and is supplemented by references cited in the text and a listing of important reviews and books.