Compact magneto-optical traps using planar optics

Abstract

Magneto-optical traps (MOTs) composed of magnetic fields and light fields have been widely utilized to cool and confine microscopic particles. Practical technology applications require miniaturized MOTs. The advancement of planar optics has promoted the development of compact MOTs. In this article, we review the development of compact MOTs based upon planar optics. At first, we introduce the standard MOTs. We then introduce the grating MOTs with micron structures, which have been used to build cold atomic clocks, cold atomic interferometers, and ultra-cold sources. In further, we introduce the integrated MOTs based on nanoscale metasurfaces. These new compact MOTs greatly reduce volume and power consumption, and provide new opportunities for fundamental research and practical applications.