EPSRC logo

Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/S77042/01
Title: Trapping and slowing cold molecules in pulsed optical lattices
Principal Investigator: Barker, Professor PF
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department: Sch of Engineering and Physical Science
Organisation: Heriot-Watt University
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 13 September 2004 Ends: 30 September 2006 Value (£): 362,028
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Cold Atomic Species
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
No relevance to Underpinning Sectors
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Panel DatePanel NameOutcome
29 Oct 2003 Physics Prioritisation Panel (Science) Deferred
Summary on Grant Application Form
This proposal aims to study the manipulation and trapping of molecules within pulsed optical fields, focusing in particular on exploring the centre-ofmass motion of molecules within medium intensity periodic optical potentials, often called optical lattices. This work will study the detailed molecular motion within optical lattices, including the slowing and trapping of cold molecules, as well as the untrapped dynamics in accelerating lattices.We will produce, for the first time, stationary cold non-polar molecules in the 1 mK to 1 K range by decelerating jet-cooled molecules. Two lattice deceleration schemes will be explored, both of which are capable of decelerating essentially any polarisable particle, including atomic species and clusters. The first scheme will use a novel chirped laser system that traps and transports the molecules to zero velocity, while a second scheme will utilise the detailed dynamics of molecular motion when trapped within a constant velocity pulsed lattice.
Key Findings
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Potential use in non-academic contexts
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Impacts
Description This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Summary
Date Materialised
Sectors submitted by the Researcher
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
Project URL:  
Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.hw.ac.uk