A transverse Zeeman slower composed of an array of compact discrete neodymium
magnets is considered. A simple and precise model of such a slower based on
magnetic dipoles is developed. The theory of a general Zeeman slower is
modified to include spatial nonuniformity of the slowing laser beam intensity
due to its convergence and absorption by slowed atoms. The slower needs no high
currents or water cooling and the spatial distribution of its magnetic field
can be adjusted. In addition the slower provides a possibility to cool the
slowed atoms transversally along the whole length of the slower. Such a slower
would be ideal for transportable optical atomic clocks and their future
applications in space physics.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figure
