SAMOP 2023 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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MO: Fachverband Molekülphysik

MO 13: Poster II

MO 13.16: Poster

Mittwoch, 8. März 2023, 16:30–19:00, Empore Lichthof

Surface charge removal by UV illumination in a microstructured electrostatic trap for cold molecule research — •Jindaratsamee Phrompao, Michael Ziemba, Yvan Briard, Florian Jung, Martin Zeppenfeld, Isabel Rabey, and Gerhard Rempe — Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Hans-Kopfermann-Straße 1, 85748 Garching, Germany

Polar molecules are an excellent platform to conduct fascinating research ranging from cold chemistry to tests of fundamental physics. Precise determination of molecular constants is essential for these applications. Toward this end, long observation time [1] is beneficial, which can be achieved by trapping the cold molecules. In our experiment, we employ a microstructured electrostatic trap [2] to confine the molecules for several seconds. The trap potential is created by applying high voltages to the trap electrodes. This, however, induces surface charges that can broaden the electric-field distribution, which renders precise addressing and controlling of the trapped molecules difficult. Thus, surface charge removal is crucial to overcome these problems.

Here, we will highlight the working principles of the electrostatic trap. The characteristics of high-voltage-induced surface charge build up will be described. Furthermore, surface charge removal by UV illumination will be presented. We found that the surface charge removal efficiency depends on the applied UV intensity and wavelength in a nontrivial way.

[1] A. Prehn et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 127, 173602 (2021).

[2] B.G.U. Englert et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 263003 (2011).