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arXiv · physics/0504079

A high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer for the detection of ultracold molecules

Abstract

We have realized a high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer combined with a magneto-optical trap. The spectrometer enables excellent optical access to the trapped atomic cloud using specifically devised acceleration and deflection electrodes. The ions are extracted along a laser beam axis and deflected onto an off axis detector. The setup is applied to detect atoms and molecules photoassociated from ultracold atoms. The detection is based on resonance-enhanced multi-photon ionization. Mass resolution up to m/Delta m_rms = 1000 at the mass of 133Cs is achieved. The performance of this spectrometer is demonstrated in the detection of photoassociated ultracold 7Li133Cs molecules near a large signal of 133Cs ions.

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Stephan D. Kraft, Jochen Mikosch, Peter Staanum, Johannes Deiglmayr, Joerg Lange, Andrea Fioretti, Roland Wester, Matthias Weidemueller. 2007-10-26. A high resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer for the detection of ultracold molecules. https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0504079

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