Experiments with Supersonic Beams as a Source of Cold Atoms
Experiments with Supersonic Beams as a Source of Cold Atoms
Experiments with Supersonic Beams as a Source of Cold Atoms
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Chapter 5<br />
Towards Trapping and Cooling <strong>of</strong> Atomic<br />
Hydrogen Isotopes<br />
Having verified that the coilgun functions <strong>as</strong> a general method <strong>of</strong> producing<br />
slow and cold samples, the next step is to use the samples it produces to make a phys-<br />
ical me<strong>as</strong>urement. For many me<strong>as</strong>urements, such <strong>as</strong> precision spectroscopy, a long<br />
interrogation time is highly desirable. Even <strong>with</strong> a slow beam, the observation time is<br />
limited because the atoms are not confined to the interrogation region. However, by<br />
integrating a trap <strong>with</strong> the end <strong>of</strong> the coilgun, the atoms can be observed for several<br />
seconds at a time (depending on the lifetime <strong>of</strong> the trap).<br />
This chapter describes the ongoing experiment to trap, cool, and study atomic<br />
hydrogen isotopes. The coilgun is modified to a hydrogen specific device and these<br />
modifications, along <strong>with</strong> the re<strong>as</strong>ons behind them, are described. Hydrogen plays<br />
a particularly important role in physics and the rational behind the desire use the<br />
coilgun to study hydrogen is explained. An anti-Helmholtz magnetic trap is added<br />
to the end <strong>of</strong> the coilgun to trap the slowed atoms, and this trap and its switching<br />
electronics are detailed. The entire device is characterized and is believed to be<br />
working properly. While the experiment h<strong>as</strong> not yet succeeded in detecting trapped<br />
hydrogen, for re<strong>as</strong>ons which are explained, detailed simulations have been performed.<br />
These simulations suggest that the hydrogen coilgun and trap will operate <strong>with</strong> high<br />
efficiency, trapping a significant quantity <strong>of</strong> the atomic hydrogen entering the coilgun.<br />
The apparatus described in this chapter is also described in [81]. Finally, the future<br />
goals <strong>of</strong> the experiment, including a proposed method for cooling the trapped atoms<br />
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