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A. Zapara

Publications and source records attributed to A. Zapara.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

Lifetime Measurements of the $A^2Π_{1/2}$ and $A^2Π_{3/2}$ States in BaF

Time resolved detection of laser induced fluorescence from pulsed excitation of electronic states in barium monofluoride (BaF) molecules has been performed in order to determine the lifetimes of the $A^2Π_{1/2}$ and $A^2Π_{3/2}$ states. The method permits control over experimental parameters such that systematic biases in the interpretation of the data can be controlled to below $10^{-3}$ relative accuracy. The statistically limited values for the lifetimes of the $A^2Π_{1/2}(ν=0)$ and $A^2Π_{3/2}(ν=0)$ states are 57.1(3) ns and 47.9(7)~ns, respectively. The ratio of these values is in good agreement with scaling for the different excitation energies. The investigated molecular states are of relevance for an experimental search for a permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of the electron in BaF.

physics.atom-ph

Deceleration of a supersonic beam of SrF molecules to 120 m/s

We report on the deceleration of a beam of SrF molecules from 290 to 120~m/s. Following supersonic expansion, the molecules in the $X^2Σ$ ($v=0$, $N=1$) low-field seeking states are trapped by the moving potential wells of a traveling-wave Stark decelerator. With a deceleration strength of 9.6 km/s$^2$ we have demonstrated the removal of 85 % of the initial kinetic energy in a 4 meter long modular decelerator. The absolute amount of kinetic energy removed is a factor 1.5 higher compared to previous Stark deceleration experiments. The demonstrated decelerator provides a novel tool for the creation of highly collimated and slow beams of heavy diatomic molecules, which serve as a good starting point for high-precision tests of fundamental physics.

physics.atom-ph