Controlled preparation and vibrational excitation of single ultracold molecular hydrogen ions

A single, trapped and ultracold molecular hydrogen ion is an attractive quantum system for exploring various aspects of fundamental physics, such as the determination of fundamental constants and testing their time-independence. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, controlled loading, sympathetic cooling, mass spectrometric identification, and vibrational excitation of ultracold single HD (Formula presented.) ions trapped in a tightly confining radiofrequency trap using single laser-cooled Be (Formula presented.) ions for sympathetic cooling. The apparatus can be used also for preparing other single ions, both lighter and heavier than the coolant ion.

Duke Scholars

Author Kenneth R Brown Electrical and Computer Engineering