News
Tue January 1, 2008
Co-trapping of Cold NH Molecules with N Atoms
A frontier in physics with cold polar molecules is the study of paths toward collisional cooling. Here we co-trap an very low polarizability atom along with a very atom-like polar molecule. Earlier work with He colliding with NH found that the inelastic processes were highly suppressed due to the small of the NH ground state with the N=2 rotational state. This work proves that a similar, but trappable atom, N, can be co-loaded with the molecule. Continuing work will concentrate on seeing N-NH collisions in this co-trapped system, perhaps leading to sympathetic cooling of NH by N.
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