Experiments with Trapped RbCs Molecules
by Gilfoy, Nathan Brown, Ph.D., YALE UNIVERSITY, 2011, 119 pages; 3496848

Abstract:

We measure the inelastic collision rates of ultracold, vibrationally excited RbCs molecules with Rb and Cs atoms. In order to do this we have demonstrated simultaneous optical trapping of T = 250 μK RbCs molecules and their constituent atoms. Electronic ground state, vibrationally excited RbCs molecules are created via photoassociation from laser-cooled samples of Rb and Cs atoms. A sample of consisting of molecules, atoms, or a combination of the two can be confined in a far red detuned optical lattice. Measurements of the trap lifetimes of the molecules in the lattice show background-gas limited collision rates for the molecules. Co-trapping atoms with the molecules results in strong inelastic collisions in the sample. We used state-sensitive detection to measure the molecular scattering rate with the two species of atoms over an order of magnitude in molecular binding energies. We find that there is no dependence of the molecule-atom cross-section on molecular vibrational quantum number.

 
AdviserDavid DeMille
SchoolYALE UNIVERSITY
SourceDAI/B 73-05, p. , Feb 2012
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsLow temperature physics; Atomic physics
Publication Number3496848
Adobe PDF Access the complete dissertation:
 

» Find an electronic copy at your library.
  Use the link below to access a full citation record of this graduate work:
  http://gateway.proquest.com/openurl%3furl_ver=Z39.88-2004%26res_dat=xri:pqdiss%26rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:dissertation%26rft_dat=xri:pqdiss:3496848
  If your library subscribes to the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database, you may be entitled to a free electronic version of this graduate work. If not, you will have the option to purchase one, and access a 24 page preview for free (if available).

About ProQuest Dissertations & Theses
With over 2.3 million records, the ProQuest Dissertations & Theses (PQDT) database is the most comprehensive collection of dissertations and theses in the world. It is the database of record for graduate research.

The database includes citations of graduate works ranging from the first U.S. dissertation, accepted in 1861, to those accepted as recently as last semester. Of the 2.3 million graduate works included in the database, ProQuest offers more than 1.9 million in full text formats. Of those, over 860,000 are available in PDF format. More than 60,000 dissertations and theses are added to the database each year.

If you have questions, please feel free to visit the ProQuest Web site - http://www.proquest.com - or call ProQuest Hotline Customer Support at 1-800-521-3042.