Atomic motion in a magneto-optical field

Abstract
We study the motion of three-level atoms in a magneto-optical field which consists of a laser field with a polarization gradient and a static magnetic field. The Hamiltonian of the model is diagonalized using band-theoretical methods of solid-state theory. Diffraction of atoms is studied numerically, and the results are compared to the ordinary Kapitza-Dirac effect. Spontaneous emission is accounted for by the use of quantum Monte Carlo techniques.