Guiding, trapping and cooling of atoms and molecules

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Pepijn W.H. Pinkse
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: from 2001 to 2007
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5323484

We have lately demonstrated the ability to observe single atoms with high spatial and temporal resolution between two extremely good mirrors, and have obtained experimental evidence for novel light forces acting on single atoms, moving in an extremely good optical cavity. In Project part A, which is proposed here, we want to demonstrate a new optical cooling force for single atoms and explore this force further for cooling collections of atoms. The powerful methods that have been developed since the mid 80ies to cool, trap and manipulate atoms using laser light, could not be applied to molecules, so far. Active research is being pursued to change this. The light forces in optical cavities are predicted to be applicable to molecules, because they do not rely on spontaneous emission by the particle in the cavity. Therefore, in project part B we want to port our experience with atoms to molecules. We will set up a simple source of cold molecules by using static electric fields to select the slowest molecules from a cold gas. By means of an electrostatic guide these molecules will then be led through a high-finesse cavity where we can study the molecule-light interaction and test cooling of molecules. In a more advanced stage of the project, we will collect the molecules in an electrostatic trap and try to increase their phase-space density. Eventually, we would like to enter the road to quantum degeneracy of molecular ensembles with longrange interactions.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1116: Interactions in ultracold and molecular gases
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Gerhard Rempe