Dresden 2011 – scientific programme

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MO: Fachverband Molekülphysik

MO 6: Poster: Cold Molecules

MO 6.1: Poster

Monday, March 14, 2011, 16:00–18:00, P1

Using cold molecules to detect molecular parity violation — •Joost van den Berg, Samuel Hoekman Turkesteen, Klaus Jungmann, Eric Prinsen, and Steven Hoekstra — Kernfysisch Versneller Instituut, University of Groningen, The Netherlands

We combine novel experimental techniques to decelerate and cool heavy diatomic molecules, in order to detect and study molecular parity violation. Parity violation has so far never been observed in molecules. Parity-violating effects, originating from the weak interaction, are most pronounced in heavy molecules, and most accurately measured in cold samples of trapped molecules. Stark-deceleration and trapping of heavy molecules is more demanding compared to light molecules such as NH and OH. Using recent advances in Stark-deceleration we set out to decelerate and trap heavy alkaline-earth halide molecules. Initially we focus on the SrF molecule. We are currently working on a supersonic beam of SrF molecules, constructing a Stark-decelerator based on ring electrodes, and exploring the opportunities for molecular lasercooling. Possibilities to use RaF molecules are also being investigated. A new generation of precision measurements to probe fundamental interactions and symmetries is possible once such samples of sufficiently cold molecules are available.