title: Characterization of a cryogenic beam source for atoms and molecules.
abstract: We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of beam formation from a cryogenic buffer gas cell. Atoms and molecules are loaded into the cell by laser ablation of a target, and are cooled and swept out of the cell by a flow of cold helium. We study the thermalization and flow dynamics inside the cell and measure how the speed, temperature, divergence and extraction efficiency of the beam are influenced by the helium flow. We use a finite element model to simulate the flow dynamics and use the predictions of this model to interpret our experimental results.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Cold Matter, Blackett Laboratory, Imperial College London, Prince Consort Road, London, SW7 2AZ, UK.
authors.forename: N E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Bulleid
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Skoff
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Hendricks
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Hinds
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Tarbutt