Slowdown of microparticles by an electromagnetic potential well deepening over time

TL;DR

This paper investigates how microparticles can be slowed down using electromagnetic potential wells that deepen over time, potentially enhancing spectroscopic techniques for particles and molecules.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of particle slowdown via time-deepening electromagnetic potential wells, supported by analytical models based on classical mechanics.

Findings

Particles are effectively slowed down when passing through deepening potential wells.

The method can potentially improve spectroscopy resolution for microparticles, atoms, and molecules.

Analytical relationships confirm the feasibility of the slowdown process.

Abstract

We analyze possible motion control of microparticles by means of external electromagnetic fields which induce potential wells having fixed spatial distribution but deepening over time up to some limit. It is assumed that given particles are under conditions of the high vacuum and forces acting on these particles are not dissipative. We have established slowdown of comparatively fast particles as a result of their transit through considered potential wells. This process is demonstrated on example of the nonresonance laser beam with the intensity amplifying over time. More detailed research of particle slowdown in such electromagnetic fields is carried out on the basis of simple analytical relationships obtained from basic equations of classical mechanics for the model of the one-dimensional rectangular potential well deepening over time. Method for cooling of particles, demonstrated in the present work, may be applied for essential increase of spectroscopy resolution of various microparticles, including in definite cases also atoms and molecules in the ground quantum state.