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arXiv:physics/0312119 · Physical Review Letters

Slowing Heavy, Ground-State Molecules using an Alternating Gradient Decelerator

Michael R. Tarbutt, Hendrick L. Bethlem, J. J. Hudson, V. L. Ryabov, Vyacheslav A. Ryzhov, B. E. Sauer, Gerard Meijer, E. A. Hinds

Published Apr 27, 2004• 182 citations
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Abstract

We have decelerated a supersonic beam of 174YbF molecules using a switched sequence of electrostatic field gradients. These molecules are 7 times heavier than any previously decelerated. An alternating gradient structure allows us to decelerate and focus the molecules in their ground state. We show that the decelerator exhibits the axial and transverse stability required to bring the molecules to rest. Our work significantly extends the range of molecules amenable to this powerful method of cooling and trapping.

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.92.173002

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•Jun 13, 2023•0 citations
We have decelerated a supersonic beam of 174YbF molecules using a switched sequence of electrostatic field gradients. These molecules are 7 times heavier than any previously decelerated. An alternating gradient structure allows us to decelerate and focus the molecules in their ground state. We show that the decelerator exhibits the axial and transverse stability required to bring the molecules to rest. Our work significantly extends the range of molecules amenable to this powerful method of cooling and trapping.
Beams of polar molecules can be focused using an array of electrostatic lenses in alternating gradient (AG) configuration. They can also be accelerated or decelerated by applying an appropriate high-voltage switching sequence to the lenses. AG focusing is applicable to molecules in both low-field- and high-field-seeking states and is particularly well suited to the problem of decelerating heavy molecules and those in their ground rotational state. We describe the principles of AG deceleration and set out criteria to be followed in decelerator design, construction and operation. We calculate the longitudinal and transverse focusing properties of a decelerator, and exemplify this by 2D-imaging studies of a decelerated beam of metastable CO molecules.
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We report on the electrostatic trapping of neutral SrF molecules. The molecules are captured from a cryogenic buffer-gas beam source into the moving traps of a 4.5-m-long traveling-wave Stark decelerator. The SrF molecules in X^{2}Σ^{+}(v=0,N=1) state are brought to rest as the velocity of the moving traps is gradually reduced from 190 m/s to zero. The molecules are held for up to 50 ms in multiple electric traps of the decelerator. The trapped packets have a volume (FWHM) of 1 mm^{3} and a velocity spread of 5(1) m/s, which corresponds to a temperature of 60(20) mK. Our result demonstrates a factor 3 increase in the molecular mass that has been Stark decelerated and trapped. Heavy molecules (mass>100 amu) offer a highly increased sensitivity to probe physics beyond the standard model. This work significantly extends the species of neutral molecules of which slow beams can be created for collision studies, precision measurement, and trapping experiments.
The work depicted in this thesis demonstrate the successful operation of a 4 meter long traveling-wave Stark decelerator. This is a novel tool for deceleration of heavy diatomic molecules to arbitrarily slow beams with a very small velocity spread which can serve as ideal starting point for precision tests of fundamental physics. The first part of the thesis discusses the characterization of a new Supersonic beam source for creation of SrF molecules which serves as an ideal candidate for precision test of nuclear spin dependent parity violation. The later part of the thesis discusses the the results of deceleration of a SrF molecules in the N = 1 rotation state of the SrF(v = 0) electronic ground state from a supersonic beam with an initial velocity of 340 m/s to 265 m/s using a deceleration potential with 3.25 k V voltage amplitude using a the 4 m long traveling-wave decelerator built in our research lab. Increasing the voltage amplitude of the potential to 4.8 kV, we were able to decelerate molecules from 340 m/s to 250 m/s which corresponds to a deceleration strength of 6.6 km /s2. By cooling the valve by flushing cold nitrogen gas through the valve enclosure we were able to decrease the initial velocity of the supersonic beam. With the valve cooled to ~190 K, we demonstrated deceleration of SrF molecules from 290 m/s to 120 m/s which corresponds to the removal of almost 85% of the initial kinetic energy. The thesis described the operation of the decelerator and end with an outlook for precision tests using this novel tool.