Atom optics, guided atoms, and atom interferometry

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the applicability of micro-optical elements for the preparation and manipulation of atomic samples. This development is in many respects complementary to the use of miniaturized magnetic traps, so called atom chips. An integration of these two techniques is a promising candidate for the next decisive steps in atom optics and neutral-atom based quantum information processing. The chapter also discusses new possibilities in coherent atom optics due to the advent of Bose-Einstein condensates(BEC). The optical manipulation of neutral atoms in most cases is based on the electric dipole interaction of atoms with laser light. It leads to the spontaneous scattering of photons, which allows cooling, state preparation and detection of atoms, and to an energy shift experienced by the atoms, which gives rise to the dipole potential. Magnetic trapping is one of the decisive elements for the achievement of BEC in dilute atomic gases. Magnetic traps eliminate the need for laser light for trapping and provide the long lifetime needed for evaporative cooling. The principle of these traps relies on the interaction of the atomic dipole moment with an external magnetic field.