The first step in the operation of a MOT involves the cooling of atoms using Doppler Cooling (discussed in the section above). To further trap and confine the cooled atoms, magnetic fields are employed in conjunction with the laser cooling mechanism. These magnetic fields create an energy landscape in space, and the atomic magnetic moments experience forces that depend on their position within this landscape. By carefully adjusting the magnetic field gradients, the atomic ensemble is trapped at regions where the forces are minimized.