NANOMETER DEFINITION OF ATOMIC-BEAMS WITH MASKS OF LIGHT

We build amplitude, i.e., absorptive masks, for neutral atoms using li ght, reversing the roles of light and atoms as compared to conventiona l optics. These masks can be used both to create and to probe spatiall y well-defined atomic distributions. The resolution of these masks can be significantly better than the optical wavelength. Applications ran ge from atom lithography to fundamental atom optical experiments. [S10 50-2947(97)50412-4].