Through a clever combination of red-detuned, circularly polarized light and magnetic fields, the magneto-optical trap (MOT) slows atoms from their speed at room temperature (around 1000 m/s) to just a few cm/s, all in about a milli-second!

How does an optical trap work?

An optical trap is formed by tightly focusing a laser beam with an objective lens of high numerical aperture (NA). A dielectric particle near the focus will experience a force due to the transfer of momentum from the scattering of incident photons.

What is Magneto-optical system?

A magneto-optical drive is a kind of optical disc drive capable of writing and rewriting data upon a magneto-optical disc. Both 130 mm (5.25 in) and 90 mm (3.5 in) form factors exist. ... Magneto-optical drives were common in some countries, such as Japan, but have fallen into disuse.