Loading Stark-decelerated molecules into electrostatic quadrupole traps

TL;DR

This paper investigates methods for efficiently loading Stark-decelerated polar molecules into electrostatic quadrupole traps, introducing a new trap design that improves loading efficiency verified with OH radicals.

Contribution

A novel 'split-endcap' quadrupole trap design is proposed and experimentally shown to enhance trap loading efficiency for Stark-decelerated molecules.

Findings

The split-endcap design improves trapping efficiency.

Comparison shows better performance of the new trap over conventional designs.

Experimental verification with OH radicals confirms the design's effectiveness.

Abstract

Beams of neutral polar molecules in a low-field seeking quantum state can be slowed down using a Stark decelerator, and can subsequently be loaded and confined in electrostatic quadrupole traps. The efficiency of the trap loading process is determined by the ability to couple the decelerated packet of molecules into the trap without loss of molecules and without heating. We discuss the inherent difficulties to obtain ideal trap loading, and describe and compare different trap loading strategies. A new "split-endcap" quadrupole trap design is presented that enables improved trap loading efficiencies. This is experimentally verified by comparing the trapping of OH radicals using the conventional and the new quadrupole trap designs.