Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing atomic and molecular nano-deposition by means of atomic or molecular focusing through a plurality of optical standing waves. A stacked set of standing light waves, preferably arranged as gratings in a predetermined form and of predetermined intensities, is used to sequentially compress or squeeze the width of the incident atomic or molecular beam into ultra-narrow, spatially localized spots or lines. The result is a focused beam of particles with improved resolution compared with prior art atomic focusing. Furthermore, spherical and chromatic aberrational effects can be reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing atomic and molecular nano-deposition by means of atomic or molecular focusing through a plurality of optical standing waves. A stacked set of standing light waves, preferably arranged as gratings in a predetermined form and of predetermined intensities, is used to sequentially compress or squeeze the width of the incident atomic or molecular beam into ultra-narrow, spatially localized spots or lines. The result is a focused beam of particles with improved resolution compared with prior art atomic focusing. Furthermore, spherical and chromatic aberrational effects can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for the separation of one isotope from other isotopes in a gaseous mixture of isotopes. First the gaseous mixture of isotopes is non-selectively excited by a laser pulse, so as to form spatially localized wavepackets in the isotopes, which initially oscillate in phase with each other. After a certain time interval has passed, during which the wavepackets have undergone substantial revival, the oscillations of the wavepacket in the isotope to be separated are substantially out of phase with respect to the oscillations of the wavepackets in the other isotopes. Following a predetermined time interval the isotope to be separated is selectively excited by another laser pulse and thereafter extracted from the gaseous mixture.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for performing interference measurements by observation of interference noise, including the steps of splitting an energy beam from an energy source into two beams directed into two different arms of an interferometer; using variable delay-generating means to introduce a path difference between the two arms; introducing a variable phase difference between the two arms, and recombining the two energy beams into a single beam. There is also provided an apparatus including a beam splitter in which an energy beam from an energy source is split into two arms, a variable delay unit in which a variable delay is imposed on one of the two arms, a constant delay unit imposing a constant delay on the other one of the two arms, and a recombiner in which the two arms are recombined to form a single output beam. A phase randomizer is interposed between the constant delay unit or the variable delay unit and the recombiner, to introduce a variable phase difference between the two arms.