Bichromatic Slowing of Metastable Helium

We examine two approaches for significantly extending the velocity range of the optical bichromatic force (BCF), to make it useful for laser deceleration of atomic and molecular beams. First, we present experimental results and calculations for BCF deceleration of metastable helium using very large BCF detunings, and discuss the limitations of this approach. We consider in detail the constraints, both inherent and practical, that set the usable upper limit of the BCF. We then show that a more promising approach is to utilize a BCF profile with a relatively small velocity range in conjunction with chirped Doppler shifts, to keep the force resonant with the atoms as they are slowed. In an initial experimental test of this chirped BCF method, helium atoms are slowed by $\sim 370$ m/s using a BCF profile with a velocity width of $\lesssim 125$ m/s. Straightforward scaling of the present results indicates that a decelerator for He* capable of loading a magneto-optical trap (MOT) can yield a brightness comparable to a much larger Zeeman slower.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figures. Published in Phys. Rev.

Prospects for rapid deceleration of small molecules by optical bichromatic forces

We examine the prospects for utilizing the optical bichromatic force (BCF) to greatly enhance laser deceleration and cooling for near-cycling transitions in small molecules. We discuss the expected behavior of the BCF in near-cycling transitions with internal degeneracies, then consider the specific example of decelerating a beam of calcium monofluoride molecules. We have selected CaF as a prototype molecule both because it has an easily-accessible near-cycling transition, and because it is well-suited to studies of ultracold molecular physics and chemistry. We also report experimental verification of one of the key requirements, the production of large bichromatic forces in a multi-level system, by performing tests in an atomic beam of metastable helium.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, revised version, to be published in Physical Review

PROSPECTS FOR RAPID DECELERATION OF DIATOMIC MOLECULES WITH OPTICAL BICHROMATIC FORCES

Author Institution: Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USADirect laser deceleration and cooling of molecules to ultracold temperatures remains an elusive goal, although successful transverse cooling using a near-cycling transition in the polar diatomic molecule SrF has recently been reported. \textbf{467}, 820 (2010).} The optical bichromatic force, which employs alternating cycles of excitation and stimulated emission from opposing directions, is an attractive prospect for multiplying the number of decelerating momentum transfers that can take place before a molecule is "lost" to radiative decay into a dark state. In metastable helium atoms, forces more than 100 times the normal radiative force have been demonstrated. \textbf{20}, 915 (2003).} We describe detailed estimates of the laser requirements and the available momentum transfer for transverse deflection and longitudinal slowing of CaF molecules, using the $Q_{11}(0.5)$ branch of the (0,0) band of the A\,^2\Pi_{1/2}\leftrightarrow X\,^2\Sigma^+ transition. Deceleration by up to 150 m/s should be possible, sufficient to bring a slow thermal molecular beam to rest. In addition, significant laser-induced cooling is expected due to the non-adiabatic velocity profile of the bichromatic force, significantly enhancing the brightness of a potential ultracold beam source. As a prelude to actual molecular experiments, we are conducting measurements on non-cycling transitions in atomic helium, and preliminary results will be described

Acquisition and reduction of data obtained from Tank 101-SY in-situ ball rheometer

Development of the ball rheometer to measure rheological properties and density of the waste in Hanford Tank 241-SY-101 will be completed around September 1994. Since the ball rheometer project began, a mixer pump has been installed in this tank, and by all accounts this pump has been very successful at mitigating the flammable gas problem associated with Tank 101-SY. Present plans now call for the use of mixer pumps in several other tanks. The ball rheometer will serve as a diagnostic tool for judging the effectiveness of mixing in Tank 101-SY and others and will be one of few in-situ probes available for diagnostic measurements. The in-situ data collection strategy and the methods of data analysis and reduction are presented in this final report concerning this instrument. It is believed that a generalized Bingham fluid model (Herschel-Bulkley fluid model) may be useful for describing at least some of the waste contained in Tank 101-SY, and data obtained in the tank will initially be reduced using this fluid model. The single largest uncertainty in the determination of the drag force on the ball is the drag force which will be experienced by the cable attached to the ball. This drag can be a substantial fraction of the total drag when the ball is deep within the tank. Careful accounting of the cable drag will be important in the reduction of the data. The data collection strategy allows the determination of the waste fluid rheology both in the undisturbed state and after it has been disturbed by the ball. Fluid density will be measured at regular intervals

Acquisition and reduction of data obtained from tank 101-SY in-situ ball rheometer

Development of the ball rheometer to measure rheological properties and density of the waste in Hanford Tank 241-SY-101 will be completed around September 1994. This instrument is expected to provide the first-of-its-kind in-situ measurements of the fluid properties of the waste contained within this tank. A mixer pump has been installed in this tank, and this pump has been very successful at mitigating the flammable gas problem associated with Tank 101-SY. The ball rheometer will serve as a diagnostic tool for judging the effectiveness of mixing in Tank 101-SY and others and will be one of few in-situ probes available for diagnostic measurements. Based on experiments performed at Los Alamos National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest Laboratory, it is believed that a generalized Bingham fluid model (Herschel-Bulkley fluid model) may be useful for describing at least some of the waste contained in Tank 101-SY, and data obtained in the tank will initially be reduced using this fluid model. The single largest uncertainty in the determination of the drag force on the ball is the drag force which will be experienced by the cable attached to the ball. This drag can be a substantial fraction of the total drag when the ball is deep within the tank. It is expected that the fluid properties may be history dependent, thus rheological properties of the undisturbed fluid may be different from the same properties after the fluid has been disturbed by passage of the ball. The data collection strategy allows the determination of the waste fluid rheology both in the undisturbed state and after it has been disturbed by the ball. Unlike the rheological parameters, measurement of density requires no model for its interpretation; however, the effects of yield stress may need to be accounted for. This measurement can be made with fairly good accuracy and may provide the most useful data in determination of mixer pump effectiveness