Abstract
We demonstrate deceleration of a beam of neutral strontium monofluoride molecules using radiative forces. Under certain conditions, the deceleration results in a substantial flux of detected molecules with velocities . Simulations and other data indicate that the detection of molecules below this velocity is greatly diminished by transverse divergence from the beam. The observed slowing, from , corresponds to scattering photons. We also observe longitudinal velocity compression under different conditions. Combined with molecular laser cooling techniques, this lays the groundwork to create slow and cold molecular beams suitable for trap loading.
- Received 2 December 2011
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.103002
© 2012 American Physical Society
Synopsis
Molecular Speed Bump
Published 8 March 2012
Experimenters slow molecules by shining lasers at them.
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