| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R39818/01 |
| Title: |
Laser cooled atomic beams of lithium and gallium for crossed beam reaction dynamics studies. |
| Principal Investigator: |
Lane, Dr IC |
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| Department: |
Sch of Chemistry and Chemical Eng |
| Organisation: |
Queen's University of Belfast |
| Scheme: |
Fast Stream |
| Starts: |
15 September 2001 |
Ends: |
14 September 2004 |
Value (£): |
61,781
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| No relevance to Underpinning Sectors |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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The proposed research aims to expand the technique of laser cooling into two new areas. Firstly, by controlling the degree of momentum transfer by a laser beam, a velocity selective atomic beam will be constructed for use in crossed beam reaction dynamics measurements. The experimental procedure will be to use extended cavity diode lasers and acousto-optic modulators to select the appropriate laser detunings necessary to effect a series of pre-selected final beam velocities, all under computer management. Laser cooling will also produce isotopically pure atomic beams. Development will concentrate initially on lithium, which has two naturally occuring isotopes. Secondly, laser cooling of a reactive p-block element will be demonstrated by employing blue laser diodes in the cooling of gallium atoms. This will serve as a test for exploring the effects of fine-structure on the efficiency of the cooling process and as a model for other p-block elements such as the halogens. Selection of the mean velocity, isotopic composition, and fine-structure component populated in the final beam should provide a unique tool for state to state reaction dynamics experiments. Techniques will be employed to minimise the number of separate lasers required for each cooling scheme.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
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| Date Materialised |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.qub.ac.uk |