Bright, guided molecular beam with hydrodynamic enhancement

Abstract

The authors realize a novel high flux source of cold atoms and molecules employing hydrodynamic enhancement of an effusive aperture at cryogenic temperatures. Molecular oxygen from the source is coupled to a magnetic guide, delivering a cold, continuous, guided flux of 3 × 1012 O 2 s-1. The dynamics of the source are studied by creating and spectroscopically analyzing high flux beams of atomic ytterbium. © 2007 American Institute of Physics.