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Total absolute collision cross section measurements using a metastable neon magneto optical trap

Kristen Matherson, R. D. Glover, D. E. Laban, Robert T. Sang

Published Jan 1, 2006• 0 citations
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Abstract

We present progress towards measurements of total absolute collision cross sections of the 3P2 metastable state and the 3D3 excited state of neon with ground state noble gases utilizing a metastable neon magneto optical trap. The measurement is achieved by observing the decay rate of the trap as a function of added partial pressure of a noble gas. This technique will enable benchmark cross sections to be measured there by providing stringent tests of current quantum mechanical scattering calculations.

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We present progress towards measurements of total absolute collision cross sections of the 3P2 metastable state and the 3D3 excited state of neon with ground state noble gases utilizing a metastable neon magneto optical trap. The measurement is achieved by observing the decay rate of the trap as a function of added partial pressure of a noble gas. This technique will enable benchmark cross sections to be measured there by providing stringent tests of current quantum mechanical scattering calculations.
We present total absolute collision cross sections for neon in the 3P2^{3}P_{2}3P2​ metastable state with ground state, thermal atoms and molecules using a recently developed experimental technique. The technique utilizes a magneto-optical trap (MOT) and involves the measurement of MOT population dynamics to determine the cross section. Collision cross section measurements are presented for metastable neon in the 3P2^{3}P_{2}3P2​ state with He, Ne, Ar, H2{\mathrm{H}}_{2}H2​, O2{\mathrm{O}}_{2}O2​, and N2{\mathrm{N}}_{2}N2​. The average thermal energy of the collision ranges from 11to27meV11\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{to}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}27\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{meV}11to27meV. The measurements made using this technique have small errors, of the order of 10% of the measured cross section; the technique is capable of producing benchmark collision cross sections.
This thesis presents investigations into the collision dynamics of cold metastable neon atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). At very cold temperatures (approx. 1 mK) the atomic interaction occurs at long range and cannot be treated classically as the interaction between two nuclear point particles. In addition, the collision dynamics can be considerably altered in the presence of an optical eld. In this thesis results are presented for collisions that are altered by the presence of an optical eld and also collisions where the optical eld can be neglected. Controlled optical collisions of cold, metastable Ne atoms are performed by using a control laser tuned close to the (3s)3P2 to (3p)3D3 cooling transition. The control laser modies the rate of ionizing collisions by promoting a pair of colliding atoms onto an excited state potential. In order to induce collisions between pairs of trapped metastables, a control laser is tuned to the red of the transition where we measure a factor of 4 increase in the rate for ionizing collisions. We also investigate the eect of optical shielding by tuning the laser to the blue of the transition and observe a factor of 5 suppression in the ionization rate. However, the measured ionization spectrum does not contain resonances due to the formation of photoassociated molecules as predicted by Doery et al [1]. Instead, we observe a broad unresolvable ionization spectrum that is well described by established theory [2]. Collision cross sections are measured for neon in the (3s)3P2 metastable state with ground state, thermal atoms and molecules. The technique is based on the measurement of the loss rate due to collisions with a background gas. Generally, these type of collisions are considered undesirable, however, it is possible to infer information about the collision cross section if the rate of collisions is accurately known. This novel technique is described and collision cross section measurements are presented for metastable neon in the (3s)3P2 state with He, Ne, Ar, H2, O2, and N2. The average thermal energy of the collision ranges from 11 meV to 27 meV and the measurements have relatively small errors, of the order of 10%.
We present the results from two experiments investigating collisions that differ in time scale by three orders of magnitude. The first experiment enables the determination of absolute total collision cross sections using a technique that measures a change in the loss rate of trapped atoms from a magneto optical trap (MOT). We also investigate light assisted collision processes between cold metastable neon atoms in the 3 P 2 metastable state within the MOT. A catalysis laser is scanned in frequency across the 3 P 2 – 3 D 3 cooling transition and the ionization rate was observed. Ionization spectra are obtained which demonstrate a dependence on the magnetic sublevels of the transition that the catalysis laser is exciting.
We present results for controlled optical collisions of cold, metastable Ne atoms in a magneto-optical trap. The modification of the ionizing collision rate is demonstrated using a control laser tuned close to the (3s)3P2 to (3p)3D3 cooling transition. The measured ionization spectrum does not contain resonances due to the formation of photoassociated molecules connected to the omega = 5 excited state potential as predicted by Doery et al (1998 Phys. Rev. A 57 3603-20). Instead, we observe a broad unresolvable ionization spectrum that is well described by established theory (Gallagher and Pritchard 1989 Phys. Rev. Lett. 63 957). In order to induce collisions between pairs of trapped metastables, a control laser is tuned to the red of the transition where we measure a factor of 4 increase in the rate for ionizing collisions. We also investigate the effect of optical shielding by tuning the laser to the blue of the transition and observe a factor of 5 suppression in the ionization rate.