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arXiv:physics/0310046 · Physical Review Letters

Two-Dimensional Trapping of Dipolar Molecules in Time-Varying Electric Fields

T. Junglen, T. Rieger, S. A. Rangwala, Pepijn W. H. Pinkse, Gerhard Rempe

Published Jun 1, 2004• 90 citations
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Abstract

Simultaneous two-dimensional trapping of neutral dipolar molecules in low- and high-field seeking states is analyzed. A trapping potential of the order of 20 mK can be produced for molecules such as ND3 with time-dependent electric fields. The analysis is in agreement with an experiment where slow molecules with longitudinal velocities of the order of 20 m/s are guided between four 50 cm long rods driven by an alternating electric potential at a frequency of a few kHz.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.92.223001

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Simultaneous two-dimensional trapping of neutral dipolar molecules in low- and high-field seeking states is analyzed. A trapping potential of the order of 20 mK can be produced for molecules such as ND3 with time-dependent electric fields. The analysis is in agreement with an experiment where slow molecules with longitudinal velocities of the order of 20 m/s are guided between four 50 cm long rods driven by an alternating electric potential at a frequency of a few kHz.
The interaction of polar molecules with an inhomogeneous, electrostatic field to filter molecules from an effusive room-temperature source is exploited to create a slow molecule beam. Whether a dipolar molecule is trapped in or expelled from the electric field minimum depends on the orientation of the molecular dipole with respect to the electric field. These molecules are called low and high-field seekers, respectively. Thus, an electric field configuration with a field minimum on axis acts as a 2-dimensional trap for low-field seeking molecules with small transverse velocity components. A linear quadrupolar is opted, which is one of the simplest suitable geometries. The longitudinal velocity is limited by a bent section, where the centripetal force due to the radius of curvature and electric field gradient guide only the slowest molecules around the bend.
We here report on the realization of an electrodynamic trap, capable of trapping neutral atoms and molecules in both low-field and high-field seeking states. Confinement in three dimensions is achieved by switching between two electric field configurations that have a saddle point at the center of the trap, i.e., by alternating a focusing and a defocusing force in each direction. The ac trapping of 15ND(3) molecules is experimentally demonstrated, and the stability of the trap is studied as a function of the switching frequency. A 1 mK sample of 15ND(3) molecules in the high-field seeking component of the |J,K=|1,1 level, the ground state of para-ammonia, is trapped in a volume of about 1 mm(3).
Neutral dipolar molecules can be decelerated and trapped using time-varying inhomogeneous electric fields. This has been demonstrated only for molecules in low-field seeking states, but can, in principle, be performed on molecules in high-field seeking states as well. Transverse stability is then much more difficult to obtain, however, since molecules in high-field seeking states always experience a force towards the electrodes. Here we demonstrate that an array of dipole lenses in alternate gradient configuration can be used to maintain transverse stability. A pulsed beam of metastable CO in high-field seeking states is accelerated from 275 to 289 m/s as well as decelerated from 275 to 260 m/s.
What we experience as an agreeable temperature is in fact due to a constant bombardment of our skin by very fast molecules. At room temperature the average velocity of air molecules around us is about 500 m/s, corresponding to about 2000 km/hour. Only at very low temperatures, close to the absolute zero (0 K = -273.15 C), will the molecules come to rest. The high velocities at ordinary temperatures limit our ability to study the molecules. This thesis describes a method to slow down a beam of polar molecules using time-varying electric fields. When the molecules are decelerated to low velocities they will have insufficient kinetic energy to escape from the electric fields, and they will be trapped. In this way molecules can be stored and studied over long periods of time. This thesis is organized as follows: In chapter I the motivation for studying cold molecules is made more explicit, and an overview is given of other methods to cool molecules. In Chapter II the interaction between molecules and electric fields is outlined. In Chapter III and IV deceleration of a beam of metastable CO is presented, using molecules in states which are either repelled by, or attracted to high electric fields. Finally, in Chapter V ammonia molecules are brought to a standstill and subsequently held in an electrostatic trap
A series of pulsed electric fields can be arranged such that it creates a traveling potential well in which neutral dipolar molecules can be confined. This provides a method to transport, to decelerate, and to cool a sample of neutral molecules while maintaining the initial phase-space density. This method is described using the concept of phase stability. The oscillating motion of molecules in the traveling potential well, reaching a minimum velocity spread corresponding to a translational temperature of 4 mK, is experimentally observed.