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arXiv · 1909.02542

High-resolution imaging of molecular collisions using a Zeeman decelerator

Vikram Plomp·Zhi Gao·Theo Cremers·Matthieu Besemer·Sebastiaan Y. T. van de Meerakker
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Abstract

We present the first crossed beam scattering experiment using a Zeeman decelerated molecular beam. The narrow velocity spreads of Zeeman decelerated NO ($X ^2Π_{3/2}, j=3/2$) 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.

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Vikram Plomp, Zhi Gao, Theo Cremers, Matthieu Besemer, Sebastiaan Y. T. van de Meerakker. 2019-09-05. High-resolution imaging of molecular collisions using a Zeeman decelerator. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5142817

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