Detection and Imaging of He{sub 2} Molecules in Superfluid Helium

Journal Article · Fri Jan 18 04:00:00 EST 2008 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.100.025301· OSTI ID:21020948

Rellergert, W G; Cahn, S B; Garvan, A; Hanson, J C; Lippincott, W H; Nikkel, J A; McKinsey, D N ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520 (United States)

We present data that show a cycling transition can be used to detect and image metastable He{sub 2} triplet molecules in superfluid helium. We demonstrate that limitations on the cycling efficiency due to the vibrational structure of the molecule can be mitigated by the use of repumping lasers. Images of the molecules obtained using the method are also shown. This technique gives rise to a new kind of ionizing radiation detector. The use of He{sub 2} triplet molecules as tracer particles in the superfluid promises to be a powerful tool for visualization of both quantum and classical turbulence in liquid helium.

• OSTI ID: 21020948
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Journal Name: Physical Review Letters Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 100; ISSN 0031-9007; ISSN PRLTAO
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
HELIUM
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LASERS
LIQUIDS
MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
MOLECULES
SUPERFLUIDITY
TRIPLETS
TURBULENCE