  We investigate theoretically the mechanical effects of light on atoms trapped
by an external potential, whose dipole transition couples to the mode of an
optical resonator and is driven by a laser. We derive an analytical expression
for the quantum center-of-mass dynamics, which is valid in presence of a tight
external potential. This equation has broad validity and allows for a
transparent interpretation of the individual scattering processes leading to
cooling. We show that the dynamics are a competition of the mechanical effects
of the cavity and of the laser photons, which may mutually interfere. We focus
onto the good-cavity limit and identify novel cooling schemes, which are based
on quantum interference effects and lead to efficient ground state cooling in
experimentally accessible parameter regimes.
