Understanding Molecular-Ion Neutral Atom Collisions for the Production of Ultracold Molecular Ions
Abstract
This project was superseded and replaced by another ARO-funded project of the same name, which is still continuing. The goal of this project was to explore ultracold collisions and chemistry between atoms and ions, to enable a novel cooling method, proposed by our group, for producing ultracold molecular ions. During this effort period, we experimentally and theoretically studied ultracold chemistry and collision in two important systems Ca + Yb+ and Ca + Ba+. As a result of this work, we have a gained a clearer understanding of both the fundamental physics important for these collisions and the requirements for producing stable, long-lived ultracold ion-neutral systems. Building on this work, we have recently performed a proof-of-principle experiment that has demonstrated sympathetic cooling of both the translational and vibrational motion of BaCl+ molecules through collisions with ultracold gases. The results of this experiment are very promising and indicate that the proposed cooling method is as efficient as expected. Work now has turned to optimizing the experimental system for the production of ultracold, ground-state molecular ions.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 03, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA603578
Entities
People
- Eric R Hudson
Organizations
- University of California, Los Angeles