Phillips, W.
(2024),
Jean Dalibard, the magneto-optical trap, and the ascent of physics with cold atomic gases, Comptes Rendus Physique, [online], https://doi.org/10.5802/crphys.172, https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=956436
(Accessed October 13, 2025)
Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock (
) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
Jean Dalibard, the magneto-optical trap, and the ascent of physics with cold atomic gases
Published
Author(s)
Abstract
I present my personal perspective on the importance of the invention by Jean Dalibard of the magneto-optical trap (MOT), which has for many years been the "workhorse" of the field of laser cooling and cold atomic gases. I recount some of the history related to the MOT and argue that its invention enabled cold atomic gases to become the dominant part of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) physics that it is today.Citation
Comptes Rendus Physique
Volume
24
Issue
S3
Pub Type
Journals
Download Paper
Keywords
Jean Dalibard, magneto-optical trap, MOT, laser cooling and trapping, radiation-pressure trap, optical Earnshaw theorem
Citation
Issues
If you have any questions about this publication or are having problems accessing it, please contact [email protected].
Created May 31, 2024, Updated June 3, 2024