High-resolution imaging of molecular collisions using a Zeeman decelerator

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates high-resolution molecular collision imaging using a Zeeman decelerator, revealing quantum diffraction and product correlations, and enabling controlled low-energy scattering studies with chemically relevant species.

Contribution

It introduces the first crossed beam scattering experiment with a Zeeman decelerated molecular beam, achieving high resolution comparable to Stark decelerators.

Findings

Resolved quantum diffraction oscillations in NO-Ne collisions

Observed product-pair correlations in NO-O₂ collisions

Achieved high-resolution scattering imaging with Zeeman deceleration

Abstract

We present the first crossed beam scattering experiment using a Zeeman decelerated molecular beam. The narrow velocity spreads of Zeeman decelerated NO ($X ^2\Pi_{3/2}, j=3/2$) radicals result in high-resolution scattering images, thereby fully resolving quantum diffraction oscillations in the angular scattering distribution for inelastic NO-Ne collisions, and product-pair correlations in the radial scattering distribution for inelastic NO-O$_2$ collisions. These measurements demonstrate similar resolution and sensitivity as in experiments using Stark decelerators, opening up possibilities for controlled and low-energy scattering experiments using chemically relevant species such as H and O atoms, O$_2$ molecules or NH radicals.