Abstract
We present a robust, continuous molecular decelerator that employs high magnetic fields and few optical pumping steps. CaOH molecules are slowed, accumulating at low velocities in a range sufficient for loading both magnetic and magneto-optical traps. During the slowing, the molecules scatter only seven photons, removing around 8 K of energy. Because large energies can be removed with only a few spontaneous radiative decays, this method can in principle be applied to nearly any paramagnetic atomic or molecular species, opening a general path to trapping of complex molecules.
- Received 7 September 2021
- Accepted 1 November 2021
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.127.263002
© 2021 American Physical Society
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Viewpoint
A New Way to Slow Down Complex Molecules
Published 20 December 2021
A magnetic-field based method can slow molecular beams that cannot be slowed using other techniques, unlocking the door to ultracold polyatomic molecular physics.
See more in Physics