An all-optical atom trap as a target for MOTRIMS-like collision experiments

Abstract

Momentum-resolved scattering experiments with laser-cooled atomic targets have been performed since almost two decades with MOTRIMS (Magneto-Optical Trap Recoil Ion Momentum Spectroscopy) setups. Compared to experiments with gas-jet targets, MOTRIMS features significantly lower target temperatures allowing for an excellent recoil ion momentum resolution. However, the coincident and momentum-resolved detection of electrons was long rendered impossible due to incompatible magnetic field requirements. Here we report on a novel experimental approach which is based on an all-optical ${}^6$Li atom trap that -- in contrast to magneto-optical traps -- does not require magnetic field gradients in the trapping region. Atom temperatures of about 2 mK and number densities up to 10${}^9$ cm${}^{-3}$ make this trap ideally suited for momentum-resolved electron-ion coincidence experiments. The overall configuration of the new trap is very similar to conventional magneto-optical traps. It mainly requires small modifications of laser beam geometries and polarization which makes it easily implementable in other existing MOTRIMS experiments.

arXiv commentsubmitted to Phys. Rev. A

References in corpus (7)

• A high-flux 2D MOT source for cold lithium atoms
• Ion-lithium collision dynamics studied with an in-ring MOTReMi
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• Magnetic Dichroism in Few-Photon Ionization of Polarized Atoms