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Title: Spectroscopy of low-energy atoms released from a solid noble-gas matrix: Proposal for a trap-loading technique

Journal Article · · Physical Review. A
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Instituto de Fisica, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Caixa Postal 68528, 21941-972 Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)

We have studied the velocity distribution of chromium atoms released from a solid neon matrix at cryogenic temperatures via Doppler spectroscopy. The Ne matrix is grown by directing a small flux of gas onto a cold substrate, while Cr atoms are simultaneously implanted by laser ablation, with the resultant plume directed toward the growing matrix. The atoms are then released by a heat pulse. We have observed neutral Cr atoms at temperatures around 13 K with densities close to 10{sup 12} cm{sup -3}. The released atoms have a large initial drift velocity, explained by simple kinetic theory arguments, due to the light species' drag force. The scheme could be adapted to produce cryogenic beams of atoms, molecules, and possibly ions, for collisional studies and spectroscopy. However, our main motivation was the construction of a hydrogen trap, and here we discuss the prospects and problems of using this technique for this purpose.

OSTI ID:
21140598
Journal Information:
Physical Review. A, Vol. 76, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.76.061401; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English