Momentum-resolved scattering experiments with laser-cooled atomic targets have been performed since almost two decades with magneto-optical trap recoil ion momentum spectroscopy (MOTRIMS) 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 an experimental approach which is based on an all-optical 6Liatom 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 109 cm−3 make this trap ideally suited for momentum-resolved electron-ion coincidence experiments. The overall configuration of the 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.
- Atoms,
- Ions,
- Laser beams,
- Laser cooling,
- Magnetic fields
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/daniel-fischer/82/
This work was supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1554776 and by the University of Missouri Research Board.