We report the slowing of a supersonic beam by elastic reflection from a receding atomic mirror. We use a pulsed supersonic nozzle to generate a $511\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}9\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}$ beam of helium that we slow by reflection from a $\mathrm{Si}(111)\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}\mathrm{H}(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ crystal placed on the tip of a spinning rotor. We were able to reduce the velocity of helium by $246\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}$ and show that the temperature of the slowed beam is lower than 250 mK in the comoving frame.We report the slowing of a supersonic beam by elastic reflection from a receding atomic mirror. We use a pulsed supersonic nozzle to generate a $511\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}9\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}$ beam of helium that we slow by reflection from a $\mathrm{Si}(111)\mathrm{\text{\ensuremath{-}}}\mathrm{H}(1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1)$ crystal placed on the tip of a spinning rotor. We were able to reduce the velocity of helium by $246\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}$ and show that the temperature of the slowed beam is lower than 250 mK in the comoving frame.

arXiv:physics/0701003Physical Review LettersMar 7, 200742 citations

Two-pulse atomic coherent control

Solvejg Jørgensen, Ronnie Kosloff

Surface ScienceMar 1, 20033 citations

Self-focusing of coherent pulses

Norman Duane Wright, Maurice C. Newstein

Optics CommunicationsSep 1, 197333 citations

Towards coherent control of supersonic beams: a new approach to atom optics

A. Libson, Max F. Riedel, G Bronshtein +3 more

A supersonic beam of noble gas atoms is a source of unprecedented brightness. A novel short pulse supersonic nozzle is developed with beam intensity that is higher by at least an order of magnitude than other available sources. We show how this beam can be coherently slowed and focused using elastic reflection from single crystals. Simulations show beam fluxes of 10 11 atoms s −1 at velocities of 50 m s −1 and temperatures of less than 20 μK in the longitudinal direction. Possible applications of this slow beam to the study of atom–surface interactions and atom interferometry are discussed.A supersonic beam of noble gas atoms is a source of unprecedented brightness. A novel short pulse supersonic nozzle is developed with beam intensity that is higher by at least an order of magnitude than other available sources. We show how this beam can be coherently slowed and focused using elastic reflection from single crystals. Simulations show beam fluxes of 10 11 atoms s −1 at velocities of 50 m s −1 and temperatures of less than 20 μK in the longitudinal direction. Possible applications of this slow beam to the study of atom–surface interactions and atom interferometry are discussed.

New Journal of PhysicsMay 30, 200621 citations

246\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}

and show that the temperature of the slowed beam is lower than 250 mK in the comoving frame.