Detection and Imaging of He2 Molecules in Superfluid Helium

W. G. Rellergert, S. B. Cahn, A. Garvan, J. C. Hanson, W. H. Lippincott, J. A. Nikkel, and D. N. McKinsey
Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 025301 – Published 15 January 2008

Abstract

We present data that show a cycling transition can be used to detect and image metastable He2 triplet molecules in superfluid helium. We demonstrate that limitations on the cycling efficiency due to the vibrational structure of the molecule can be mitigated by the use of repumping lasers. Images of the molecules obtained using the method are also shown. This technique gives rise to a new kind of ionizing radiation detector. The use of He2 triplet molecules as tracer particles in the superfluid promises to be a powerful tool for visualization of both quantum and classical turbulence in liquid helium.

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  • Received 10 September 2007

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.100.025301

©2008 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

W. G. Rellergert, S. B. Cahn, A. Garvan, J. C. Hanson, W. H. Lippincott, J. A. Nikkel, and D. N. McKinsey*

  • Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA

  • *daniel.mckinsey@yale.edu

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Vol. 100, Iss. 2 — 18 January 2008

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