We create a dual-species ultracold neutral plasma (UNP) by photo-ionizing Yb and Ca atoms in a dual-species magneto-optical trap. Unlike single-species UNP expansion, these plasmas are well outside of the collisionless (Vlasov) approximation. We observe the mutual interaction of the Yb and Ca ions by measuring the velocity distribution for each ion species separately. We model the expansion using a fluid code including ion-ion friction and compare with experimental results to obtain a value of the Coulomb logarithm of Λ= 0.04.We create a dual-species ultracold neutral plasma (UNP) by photo-ionizing Yb and Ca atoms in a dual-species magneto-optical trap. Unlike single-species UNP expansion, these plasmas are well outside of the collisionless (Vlasov) approximation. We observe the mutual interaction of the Yb and Ca ions by measuring the velocity distribution for each ion species separately. We model the expansion using a fluid code including ion-ion friction and compare with experimental results to obtain a value of the Coulomb logarithm of Λ= 0.04.

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 29, 20190 citations

Ultracold collision measurements in low intensity magneto-optical traps

Renée C. Nesnidal

Jan 1, 19990 citations

Simultaneous trapping of rubidium and metastable argon in a magneto-optical trap

Charles I. Sukenik, H. C. Busch

We have simultaneously confined rubidium and metastable argon in a dual-species magneto-optical trap (MOT). Here a binary mixture of atomic species from different groups of the periodic table have been optically confined at ultracold temperatures. We describe the apparatus and characterize the individual, single species MOTs and the dual-species MOT. Both fluorescence and ion production are monitored. With both species trapped, we observe $\ensuremath{\sim}5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ ${}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms and $\ensuremath{\sim}2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ ${}^{40}{\mathrm{Ar}}^{*}$ atoms. Realization of the dual-species trap opens the way for detailed studies of Penning and associative ionization, photoassociative spectroscopy, and eventually for the production of bound, ultracold RbAr molecules.We have simultaneously confined rubidium and metastable argon in a dual-species magneto-optical trap (MOT). Here a binary mixture of atomic species from different groups of the periodic table have been optically confined at ultracold temperatures. We describe the apparatus and characterize the individual, single species MOTs and the dual-species MOT. Both fluorescence and ion production are monitored. With both species trapped, we observe $\ensuremath{\sim}5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ ${}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms and $\ensuremath{\sim}2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$ ${}^{40}{\mathrm{Ar}}^{*}$ atoms. Realization of the dual-species trap opens the way for detailed studies of Penning and associative ionization, photoassociative spectroscopy, and eventually for the production of bound, ultracold RbAr molecules.

Physical Review ANov 15, 200217 citations

{}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}

atoms and $\ensuremath{\sim}2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{6}$

{}^{40}{\mathrm{Ar}}^{*}

atoms. Realization of the dual-species trap opens the way for detailed studies of Penning and associative ionization, photoassociative spectroscopy, and eventually for the production of bound, ultracold RbAr molecules.