Longitudinal Zeeman slowers based on permanent magnetic dipoles

Longitudinal Zeeman slowers composed of arrays of compact discrete neodymium magnets are proposed. The general properties of these slowers, as well as specific designs of short spin-flip Zeeman slowers for Sr and Rb atoms are described. The advantages of these slowers are their simplicity, low cost and absence of consumed electrical power and corresponding water cooling. The smoothness of the magnetic field together with ease of adjustability makes it possible to operate these slowers near the theoretical limits of deceleration, making them more compact and efficient.