title: Decay rate measurement of the first vibrationally excited state of MgH+ in a cryogenic Paul trap.
abstract: We present a method to measure the decay rate of the first excited vibrational state of polar molecular ions that are part of a Coulomb crystal in a cryogenic linear Paul trap. Specifically, we have monitored the decay of the |ν = 1, J = 1)(X) towards the |ν = 0, J = 0)(X) level in MgH+ by saturated laser excitation of the |ν = 0, J = 2)(X)-|ν = 1, J = 1)(X) transition followed by state selective resonance enhanced two-photon dissociation out of the |ν = 0, J=2)(X) level. The experimentally observed rate of 6.32(0.69) s(-1) is in excellent agreement with the theory value of 6.13(0.03) s(-1) (this Letter). The technique enables the determination of decay rates, and thus absorption strengths, with an accuracy at the few percent level.
authors: Max-Planck-Institut für Kernphysik, Saupfercheckweg 1, 69117 Heidelberg, Germany. oscar.versolato@mpi-hd.mpg.de
authors: O O
authors: OO
authors: Versolato
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Schwarz
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Hansen
authors: A D
authors: AD
authors: Gingell
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Windberger
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Kłosowski
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Ullrich
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Jensen
authors: J R
authors: JR
authors: Crespo López-Urrutia
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Drewsen