Contact: Gertie Skaarup
skaarup@nbi.dk
453-532-5320
University of Copenhagen

Illustration of the Magneto-optical Trap (MOT)

Caption: Illustration of the magneto-optical trap (MOT). The atoms (green spheres) are captured and cooled using three pairs of opposing laser beams (blue arrows) and a magnetic field generated by coils placed above and below the atoms.

Credit: Niels Bohr Institute

Usage Restrictions: None.

Related news release: New record for measurement of atomic lifetime