MANIPULATING BEAMS OF ULTRA-COLD ATOMS WITH A STATIC MAGNETIC-FIELD

We report preliminary results on the deflection of a beam of ultra-col d atoms by a static magnetic field. Caesium atoms trapped in a magneto -optical trap (MOT) are cooled using optical molasses, and then fall f reely under gravity to form a beam of ultra-cold atoms. The atoms pass through a static inhomogeneous magnetic field produced by a single cu rrent-carrying wire, and are deflected by a force del(mu.B) dependent on the magnetic substate of the atom. The population of atoms in vario us magnetic substates can be altered by using resonant laser radiation to optically pump the atoms.