Abstract
We present a new method for the generation of rotationally and vibrationally state-selected, translationally cold molecular ions in ion traps. Our technique is based on the state-selective threshold photoionization of neutral molecules followed by sympathetic cooling of the resulting ions with laser-cooled calcium ions. Using ions as a test system, we achieve selectivity in the preparation of the ground rovibrational level and state lifetimes on the order of 15 minutes limited by collisions with background-gas molecules. The technique can be employed to produce a wide range of apolar and polar molecular ions in the ground and excited rovibrational states. Our approach opens up new perspectives for cold quantum-controlled ion-molecule-collision studies, frequency-metrology experiments with state-selected molecular ions and molecular-ion qubits.
- Received 29 June 2010
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.105.143001
© 2010 The American Physical Society
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Published 27 September 2010
A novel laser ionization technique allows better control and investigation of trapped molecular ions.
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