A moving magnetic trap decelerator: a new source of cold atoms and molecules

Lavert-Ofir, E., Gersten, S., Henson, A. B. , Shani, I., David, L., Narevicius, J. and Narevicius, E. (2011) A moving magnetic trap decelerator: a new source of cold atoms and molecules. New Journal of Physics, 13(10), 103030. (doi: 10.1088/1367-2630/13/10/103030)

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Abstract

We present an experimental realization of a moving magnetic trap decelerator, where paramagnetic particles entrained in a cold supersonic beam are decelerated in a co-moving magnetic trap. Our method allows for an efficient slowing down of both paramagnetic atoms and molecules to near stopping velocities. We show that under realistic conditions we will be able to trap and decelerate a large fraction of the initial supersonic beam. We present our first results on deceleration in a moving magnetic trap by bringing metastable neon atoms to near rest. Our estimated phase space volume occupied by decelerated particles at a final velocity of 50 m s−1 shows an improvement of two orders of magnitude as compared to currently available deceleration techniques.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Henson, Dr Alon
Authors: Lavert-Ofir, E., Gersten, S., Henson, A. B., Shani, I., David, L., Narevicius, J., and Narevicius, E.
College/School:College of Science and Engineering > School of Chemistry
Journal Name:New Journal of Physics
Publisher:IOP
ISSN:1367-2630
ISSN (Online):1367-2630

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