Collisions between cold molecules in a superconducting magnetic trap

TL;DR

This paper reports the first direct observation of collisions between cold, trapped molecules in a superconducting magnetic trap, providing insights into collision dynamics relevant for quantum chemistry and cooling techniques.

Contribution

It demonstrates trapping of cold molecules without laser cooling and sets bounds on collision rate ratios, advancing the study of molecular interactions at low temperatures.

Findings

First direct observation of cold molecule collisions in a magnetic trap

Established bounds on elastic and inelastic collision rate ratios

Co-trapped atoms and molecules to study interspecies collisions

Abstract

Collisions between cold molecules are essential for studying fundamental aspects of quantum chemistry, and may enable formation of quantum degenerate molecular matter by evaporative cooling. However, collisions between trapped, naturally occurring molecules have so far eluded direct observation due to the low collision rates of dilute samples. We report the first directly observed collisions between cold, trapped molecules, achieved without the need of laser cooling. We magnetically capture molecular oxygen in a 0.8K x kB deep superconducting trap, and set bounds on the ratio between the elastic and inelastic scattering rates, the key parameter determining the feasibility of evaporative cooling. We further co-trap and identify collisions between atoms and molecules, paving the way to studies of cold interspecies collisions in a magnetic trap.