Slow beams of massive molecules

TL;DR

This paper reports the generation and observation of slow, heavy, neutral molecular beams of perfluorinated macromolecules up to 6000 amu, enabling advanced experiments in matter-wave interferometry and molecular manipulation.

Contribution

It demonstrates the production of slow, massive neutral molecule beams and discusses their potential for future quantum and manipulation experiments.

Findings

Molecular beams with velocities down to 11 m/s were achieved.

Perfluorinated macromolecules up to 6000 amu were successfully generated.

The results open new possibilities for matter-wave interferometry with heavy molecules.

Abstract

Slow beams of neutral molecules are of great interest for a wide range of applications, from cold chemistry through precision measurements to tests of the foundations of quantum mechanics. We report on the quantitative observation of thermal beams of perfluorinated macromolecules with masses up to 6000 amu, reaching velocities down to 11 m/s. Such slow, heavy and neutral molecular beams are of importance for a new class of experiments in matter-wave interferometry and we also discuss the requirements for further manipulation and cooling schemes with molecules in this unprecedented mass range.