Abstract
We have decelerated a supersonic beam of molecules using a switched sequence of electrostatic field gradients. These molecules are 7 times heavier than any previously decelerated. An alternating gradient structure allows us to decelerate and focus the molecules in their ground state. We show that the decelerator exhibits the axial and transverse stability required to bring the molecules to rest. Our work significantly extends the range of molecules amenable to this powerful method of cooling and trapping.
- Received 19 December 2003
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.173002
©2004 American Physical Society