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Nature Physics 5, 781–782 (1 November 2009) | doi:10.1038/nphys1435

Quantum optics: Crystals of atoms and light

Helmut Ritsch

Just as matter is used to control the propagation of light waves, light can be used to manipulate matter waves. In typical situations, such as when light is guided by lenses or mirrors or when particles are trapped by optical tweezers and laser cooling, only one of the two effects is significant.