Laser Cooling and Magnetic Trapping of Neutral Atoms

Predictions based on a one dimensional deterministic model concerning the National Bureau of Standards (Gaithersburg) laser-cooling experiment is described. The predictions are found to agree with the experimental data. Some ideas of how to cool in a harmonic magnetic trap are explored using computer simulation techniques. The ideas may be tested in an experimentally realizable donut-trap. A possible way to deal with general nonequilibrium situation is demonstrated by a simple model of the atomic cloud in the magnetic trap.