abstract:A Zeeman slower is a scientific apparatus that is commonly used in experimental atomic, molecular, and optical physics to slow a beam of atoms or molecules from initial speeds on the order of 500 m/s–1000 m/s to final speeds on the order of 10 m/s (a few Kelvin). It consists of a cylinder, through which the beam travels, a pump laser that is shone on the beam in the direction opposite to the beam's motion, and a magnetic field (commonly produced by a solenoid-like coil) that points along the symmetry axis of the cylinder and varies spatially along the axis of the cylinder.