Loss and heating of particles in small and noisy traps

We derive the life time and loss rate for a trapped atom that:is coupled to fluctuating fields in the vicinity of a room-temperature metallic and/or d ielectric surface. Our results indicate a clear predominance of near-field effects over ordinary blackbody radiation. We develop a theoretical framewo rk for both charged ions and neutral atoms with and without spin. Loss proc esses that are due to a transition to an untrapped internal state are inclu ded.