Physics

Getting a handle on difficult atoms

Hendrick L. Bethlem

Published Sep 29, 2008• 6 citations

Abstract

Paramagnetic atoms and molecules experience a force in a magnetic field and scientists have now used this force to decelerate and trap hydrogen atoms. This method promises new opportunities for precision measurements on hydrogen isotopes and may be applied to a host of atoms and molecules for which existing cooling techniques fail.

DOI: 10.1103/physics.1.25

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