High-energy-resolution molecular beams for cold collision studies
Abstract
Stark deceleration allows for precise control over the velocity of a pulsed molecular beam and, by the nature of its limited phase-space acceptance, reduces the energy width of the decelerated packet. We describe an alternate method of operating a Stark decelerator that further reduces the energy spread over the standard method of operation. In this alternate mode of operation, we aggressively decelerate the molecular packet using a high phase angle. This technique brings the molecular packet to the desired velocity before it reaches the end of the decelerator; the remaining stages are then used to longitudinally and transversely guide the packet to the detection/interaction region. The result of the initial aggressive slowing is a reduction in the phase-space acceptance of the decelerator and thus a narrowing of the velocity spread of the molecular packet. In addition to the narrower energy spread, this method also results in a velocity spread that is nearly independent of the final velocity. Using the alternate deceleration technique, the energy resolution of molecular collision measurements can be improved considerably.
- Publication:
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New Journal of Physics
- Pub Date:
- May 2009
- DOI:
- 10.1088/1367-2630/11/5/055031
- arXiv:
- arXiv:0902.1499
- Bibcode:
- 2009NJPh...11e5031P
- Keywords:
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- Physics - Atomic Physics;
- Physics - Chemical Physics
- E-Print:
- 12 pages, 9 figures