Formation and spectroscopy of alkali molecules and clusters in helium nanodroplets

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Frank Stienkemeier
• Subject Area: Optics, Quantum Optics and Physics of Atoms, Molecules and Plasmas
• Term: from 2003 to 2010
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5407186

Alkali molecules and clusters are formed upon successive pick-up and agglomeration in helium nanodroplets at a temperature around 380 mK. Laser spectroscopy is applied to study pure and mixed clusters as well as clusters with adsorbates. In particular, absorption and resonant enhanced ionization properties of mixed alkali dimers (LiCs, RbCs) will be investigated to develop efficient detection schemes for such molecules isolated in traps. Furthermore, the formation of large spin-polarized alkali clusters and their binding and depolarization properties are examined probing electronic excitations and interactions with external magnetic fields. Finally, laser-induced fluorescence and accordingly beam depletion spectroscopy is applied to alkali clusters in order to study collective excitations (plasmon resonances) at very low temperatures.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1116: Interactions in ultracold and molecular gases
• Major Instrumentation: Nd:YLF-Laser
• Instrumentation Group: 5700 Festkörper-Laser