Microstructured switchable mirror for polar molecules.
By miniaturizing electrode geometries high electric fields can be produced using modest voltages. A planar array of 20 microm wide gold electrodes, spaced 20 microm apart, is made on a sapphire substrate. A voltage difference of up to 350 V is applied to adjacent electrodes, generating an electric field that decreases exponentially with distance from the substrate. This microstructured array can be used as a mirror for polar molecules and can be rapidly switched on and off. This is demonstrated by retro-reflecting a beam of state-selected ammonia molecules with a forward velocity of about 30 m/s.
Fritz-Haber-Institut, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
Stephan A
SA
Schulz
Hendrick L
HL
Bethlem
Jacqueline
J
van Veldhoven
Jochen
J
Küpper
Horst
H
Conrad
Gerard
G
Meijer