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A method is proposed to decelerate neutral atoms in a thermal beam for purposes of precision spectroscopy, atomic clocks, or loading into shallow traps. Rydberg atoms exhibit large electric dipole moments suggesting that inhomogenous fields can exert forces on them. The resultant change in kinetic energy is equal to the Stark shift of the Rydberg state. It has been found that a series of tandem electrode pairs can reduce atomic velocities by a factor of 10. Various limitations and constraints are discussed.
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Breeden et al. (1981) studied this question.
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