Related papers: A Zeeman slower for diatomic molecules
We present a practical roadmap to achieve optical cycling and laser cooling of asymmetric top molecules (ATMs). Our theoretical analysis describes how reduced molecular symmetry, as compared to diatomic and symmetric non-linear molecules,…
We present the design of a Velocity Map Imaging apparatus tailored to the demands of high-resolution crossed molecular beam experiments employing Stark or Zeeman decelerators. The key requirements for these experiments consist of the…
A method for decelerating a continuous beam of neutral polar molecules is theoretically demonstrated. This method utilizes non-uniform, static electric fields and regions of adiabatic population transfer to generate a mechanical force that…
We report the construction and characterization of an experimental setup for producing a cold gas of $^{40}$Ca atoms and excite them to high Rydberg states with a resonant three-photon-excitation scheme. The apparatus comprises four stages,…
A recent progress on laser cooling of molecules is summarized. Since the development during 1980s for atomic species, laser cooling has been the very beginning step to cool and trap atoms for frontier research on quantum simulations,…
We present the first crossed beam scattering experiment using a Zeeman decelerated molecular beam. The narrow velocity spreads of Zeeman decelerated NO ($X ^2\Pi_{3/2}, j=3/2$) radicals result in high-resolution scattering images, thereby…
We report on a reliable laser system for cooling magnesium atoms in the metastable 3P manifold. The three relevant transitions coupling the 3P to the 3D manifold are near 383 nm and seperated by several hundred GHz. The laser system…
We present a novel optimised design for a source of cold atomic cadmium, compatible with continuous operation and potentially quantum degenerate gas production. The design is based on spatially segmenting the first and second-stages of…
Zeeman deceleration is an experimental technique in which inhomogeneous, time-dependent magnetic fields generated inside an array of solenoid coils are used to manipulate the velocity of a supersonic beam. A 12-stage Zeeman decelerator has…
Recent experiments have demonstrated direct cooling and trapping of diatomic and triatomic molecules in magneto-optical traps (MOTs). However, even the best molecular MOTs to date still have density $10^{-5}$ times smaller than in typical…
We present a new concept for a multi-stage Zeeman decelerator that is optimized particularly for applications in molecular beam scattering experiments. The decelerator consists of a series of alternating hexapoles and solenoids, that…
We present a dual-species oven and Zeeman slower setup capable of producing slow, high-flux atomic beams for loading magneto-optical traps. Our compact and versatile system is based on electronic switching between different magnetic field…
Over the past decade, tremendous progress has been made to extend the tools of laser cooling and trapping to molecules. Those same tools have recently been applied to polyatomic molecules (molecules containing three or more atoms). In this…
Ultracold molecular gases are promising as an avenue to rich many-body physics, quantum chemistry, quantum information, and precision measurements. This richness, which flows from the complex internal structure of molecules, makes the…
We implement and demonstrate the effectiveness of a cooling scheme using a moving, all-optical, one-way barrier to cool a sample of $^{87}$Rb atoms, achieving nearly a factor of 2 reduction in temperature. The one-way barrier, composed of…
We present a dual-species effusive source and Zeeman slower designed to produce slow atomic beams of two elements with a large mass difference and with very different oven temperature requirements. We demonstrate this design for the case of…
Recently, laser cooling methods have been extended from atoms to molecules. The complex rotational and vibrational energy level structure of molecules makes laser cooling difficult, but these difficulties have been overcome and molecules…
We present an analysis of the deceleration and trapping of heavy diatomic molecules in low-field seeking states by a moving electric potential. This moving potential is created by a 'ring-decelerator', which consists of a series of…
We present a theoretical analysis of a novel scheme for optical cooling of particles that does not in principle require a closed optical transition. A tightly confined laser beam interacting with a trapped particle experiences a phase…
We describe the design, construction, and characterization of a permanent magnet based, transverse-field Zeeman slower for lithium atoms. We use off-the-shelf compact permanent bar magnets in the Halbach configuration to create a uniform…