title: Deceleration of a Supersonic Beam of SrF Molecules to 120 m s-1.
abstract: A beam of SrF molecules is decelerated from 290 to 120 m s-1. Following supersonic expansion, the molecules in the X2Σ (ν=0, N=1) low-field-seeking state are trapped by the moving potential wells of a traveling-wave Stark decelerator. With a deceleration strength of 9.6 km s-2the removal of 85 % of the initial kinetic energy in a 4 m-long modular decelerator is demonstrated. The absolute amount of kinetic energy removed is a factor of 1.5 higher compared to previous Stark-deceleration experiments. The demonstrated decelerator provides a novel tool for the creation of highly collimated and slow beams of heavy diatomic molecules, which serve as a good starting point for high-precision tests of fundamental physics.
authors: Van Swinderen Institute, University of Groningen, Zernikelaan 25, 9747, AA, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Sreekanth C
authors: SC
authors: Mathavan
authors: Van Swinderen Institute, University of Groningen, Zernikelaan 25, 9747, AA, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Artem
authors: A
authors: Zapara
authors: Van Swinderen Institute, University of Groningen, Zernikelaan 25, 9747, AA, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Quinten
authors: Q
authors: Esajas
authors: Van Swinderen Institute, University of Groningen, Zernikelaan 25, 9747, AA, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors: Steven
authors: S
authors: Hoekstra
keywords: Stark deceleration; cold molecules; heavy molecules; molecular beams; supersonic expansion