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Taming molecular beams

2008; Nature Portfolio; Volume: 4; Issue: 8 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1038/nphys1031

1745-2481

Sebastiaan Y. T. van de Meerakker, Hendrick L. Bethlem, Gerard Meijer,

Quantum Information and Cryptography

The motion of neutral molecules in a beam can be manipulated with inhomogeneous electric and magnetic fields. Static fields can be used to deflect or focus molecules, whereas time-varying fields can be used to decelerate or accelerate beams of molecules to any desired velocity. We review the possibilities that this molecular-beam technology offers, ranging from ultrahigh-resolution spectroscopy using molecular fountains to novel crossed-beam scattering experiments. The ability to control the velocity of molecules using time-varying electrical and magnetic fields has led to a renewed interest in molecular beams. This article reviews the technology of these decelerators and discusses applications.