Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Frontiers in Optics

A TWIST for ultracold, polar molecules

Jan Kleinert, Christopher Haimberger, Patrick Zabawa, N. P. Bigelow

Published Jan 1, 2007• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present a Thin WIre electroStatic Trap (TWIST) for ultracold, polar NaCs molecules formed via photoassociation from a mixed species magneto optical trap (MOT). The TWIST is superimposed onto the atom clouds, enabling a continous accumulation of molecules.
DOI
10.1364/ls.2007.lthd3

Related papers

Trapping of Ultracold Polar Molecules with a Thin-Wire Electrostatic Trap

Jan Kleinert, Christopher Haimberger, Patrick Zabawa +1 more

We describe the realization of a dc electric-field trap for ultracold polar molecules, the thin-wire electrostatic trap (TWIST). The thin wires that form the electrodes of the TWIST allow us to superimpose the trap onto a magneto-optical trap (MOT). In our experiment, ultracold polar NaCs molecules in their electronic ground state are created in the MOT via photoassociation, achieving a continuous accumulation in the TWIST of molecules in low-field seeking states. Initial measurements show that the TWIST trap lifetime is limited only by the background pressure in the chamber.

arXiv:0707.2015•Physical Review Letters•Oct 4, 2007•47 citations

Manufacturing a thin wire electrostatic trap for ultracold polar molecules

Jan Kleinert, Christopher Haimberger, Patrick Zabawa +1 more

We present a detailed description on how to build a thin wire electrostatic trap (TWIST) for ultracold polar molecules. It is the first design of an electrostatic trap that can be superimposed directly onto a magneto-optical trap (MOT). We can thus continuously produce ultracold polar molecules via photoassociation from a two species MOT and instantaneously trap them in the TWIST without the need for complex transfer schemes. Despite the spatial overlap of the TWIST and the MOT, the two traps can be operated and optimized completely independently due to the complementary nature of the utilized trapping mechanisms.

arXiv:0707.2359•Review of Scientific Instruments•Nov 1, 2007•8 citations

Dynamics of Ultracold Polar Molecules in a Thin Wire Electrostatic Trap (TWIST)

Patrick Zabawa, Amy Wakim, Jan Kleinert +2 more

Improvement in the lifetime of electrostatically trapped and deeply bound, polar NaCs molecules in the X1Σ state is achieved. Studies of optical and inter-species interactions occuring in the TWIST are presented.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2008•0 citations

Collision Studies between Ultracold NaCs Molecules and Composite Atoms

Amy Wakim, Patrick Zabawa, Christopher Haimberger +2 more

Deeply bound ultracold polar NaCs molecules are electrostatically trapped and spatially overlapped with each magneto-optical trap to induce atom-molecule interactions. The resulting atom-molecule collision studies are presented.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2008•0 citations

Formation of ultracold, highly polar X1Σ+NaCs molecules

Christopher Haimberger, Jan Kleinert, Patrick Zabawa +2 more

We present photoassociation spectroscopy of ultracold NaCs molecules formed in a dual-species magneto-optical trap. Excited-state molecules are formed in states correlating to the Na(3S 1/2 )+Cs(6P 3/2 ) asymptote. We assign the most prominent observed vibrational progression to the Ω=2 long range state based on a comparison with ab initio potentials. Molecules are secondarily excited before decaying to deeply bound levels of the electronic ground X 1 Σ + state where they are ionized and detected by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy.

New Journal of Physics•May 14, 2009•37 citations

Creating ultra-cold polar molecules by photoassociation in a mixed species magneto-optical trap

N. P. Bigelow, Chris Haimberger, Jan Kleinert +1 more

APS•May 1, 2004•0 citations
We describe the realization of a dc electric-field trap for ultracold polar molecules, the thin-wire electrostatic trap (TWIST). The thin wires that form the electrodes of the TWIST allow us to superimpose the trap onto a magneto-optical trap (MOT). In our experiment, ultracold polar NaCs molecules in their electronic ground state are created in the MOT via photoassociation, achieving a continuous accumulation in the TWIST of molecules in low-field seeking states. Initial measurements show that the TWIST trap lifetime is limited only by the background pressure in the chamber.
We present a detailed description on how to build a thin wire electrostatic trap (TWIST) for ultracold polar molecules. It is the first design of an electrostatic trap that can be superimposed directly onto a magneto-optical trap (MOT). We can thus continuously produce ultracold polar molecules via photoassociation from a two species MOT and instantaneously trap them in the TWIST without the need for complex transfer schemes. Despite the spatial overlap of the TWIST and the MOT, the two traps can be operated and optimized completely independently due to the complementary nature of the utilized trapping mechanisms.
We present photoassociation spectroscopy of ultracold NaCs molecules formed in a dual-species magneto-optical trap. Excited-state molecules are formed in states correlating to the Na(3S 1/2 )+Cs(6P 3/2 ) asymptote. We assign the most prominent observed vibrational progression to the Ω=2 long range state based on a comparison with ab initio potentials. Molecules are secondarily excited before decaying to deeply bound levels of the electronic ground X 1 Σ + state where they are ionized and detected by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy.