Patent attributes
One embodiment of the invention includes a magneto-optical trap (MOT) housing substantially surrounding atoms in an atom trapping region. The housing includes a first end that is substantially open to receive light that is substantially collimated and a second end opposite the first end that includes an aperture that emits a cold atom beam from the atom trapping region. The housing also includes a housing section surrounding and extending along a substantially central axis having a substantially reflective interior peripheral surface that reflects the light to generate an optical force on the atoms. The housing further includes an optical mask located substantially at the first end and along the substantially central axis that is configured to occlude the atom trapping region from the light to substantially prevent direct illumination of the atoms by unreflected light.
