A molecular fountain Cunfeng Cheng 2017-06-19 LaserLaB, Department of Physics and Astronomy Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam De Boelelaan 1081, 1081 HV Amsterdam The Netherlands 2017-06-19
Precision measurements on molecules Tests of discrete symmetries (search for eEDM…) Testing time-invariance of fundamental constants ∆𝑓 𝑓 = 𝐾 𝜇 ∆𝜇 𝜇 𝐾 𝜇 ~−0.5 for vibrational transition 𝐾 𝜇 ~−1.0 for rotational transition
Transition measurement on molecules frequency uncertainty: 𝜎= ∆𝑓 𝑓 1 𝑁 MW cavity 0.88/Δt 8.8 kHz 880 Hz v = 500 m/s, L = 5 cm; Δt = 0.1 ms, Δf = 8.8kHz 3
Transition measurement in a fountain But we need slow (< 2m/s) and cold (~1 μK) molecules!! v = 1.5 m/s, L = 11 cm; Δt = 0.3 s; Δf = 1.6 Hz 4
A molecular beam Pulse Valve Ammonia seeded in Xenon
A dipole in an inhomogeneous E-field 6
An array of inhomogeneous E-fields Stark decelerator v = 90 m/s v = 300 m/s Stark energy Bethlem, et al. PRL 83:1558-1561, 1999 7
Quintero-Pérez, et al. PRL 110:133003, 2013 Ring type decelerator v = 90 m/s Quintero-Pérez, et al. PRL 110:133003, 2013
Amsterdam < 2m/s 1mK Making cold ammonia 90m/s 30mK 300m/s 1K
Electric lens system Free fly region for spectroscopy Tx,y < 10 uK (All fields off!) Tx,y < 10 uK Tz < 1 uK Quad on Ring on Cheng, et al. PRL 117:253201, 2016
A molecular fountain 14NH3 time (ms)
Molecular fountain signal First 15NH3 fountain! 1.5m/s Δt=120ms
To be continued… We demonstrated the molecular fountain with free flight time up to 266 ms. First demonstration of 15NH3 fountain. Demonstrate spectroscopy with Microwave or IR. Look for two photon transitions in ammonia.
Thanks for your attention LaserLaB, Amsterdam: Aernout van der Poel Marina Quintero Pérez Thomas Wall Paul Jansen Rob Kortekaas Wim Ubachs Rick Bethlem
Molecular fountain with ammonia Nice molecule, various transitions; Good laser source Large dipole moment and small mass; can be effectively decelerated Large vapor pressure; intense molecular beam J. van Veldhoven et al. EPJD 31, 337 (2004). H. L. Bethlem et al. EPJ Special Topics 163, 55 (2008).