ATOM OPTICS IN THE TIME-DOMAIN

Atom-optics experiments are presented using a time-modulated evanescen t light wave as an atomic mirror in the trampoline configuration, i.e. , perpendicular to the direction of the atomic free fall. This modulat ed mirror is used to accelerate cesium atoms, to focus their trajector ies, and to apply a ''multiple lens'' to separately focus different ve locity classes of atoms originating from a point source. We form image s of a simple two-slit object to show the resolution of the device. Th e experiments are modelled by a general treatment analogous to classic al ray optics.