Collisions of Polar Molecules with Ultracold Alkali Metal Atoms (IP3 of EuroQUAM CoPoMol)

极性分子与超冷碱金属原子的碰撞（EuroQUAM CoPoMol 的 IP3）

基本信息

批准号：
EP/E038603/1
负责人：
Michael Tarbutt
金额：
$ 4.39万
依托单位：
Imperial College London
依托单位国家：
英国
项目类别：
Research Grant
财政年份：
2007
资助国家：
英国
起止时间：
2007 至无数据
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FE038603%2F1
关键词：
Collisions Polar Molecules Ultracold Alkali

项目摘要

Using laser cooling techniques, it is possible to cool atoms to extremely low temperatures. However, this technique cannot be applied directly to cool molecules because of the complex internal structure that molecules possess. Nevertheless, there is currently a great desire to cool molecules, particularly polar molecules which bring long-range interactions into the cold gas. One very promising approach to producing ultracold molecules is to trap molecules together with ultracold atoms. The molecules then collide with the atoms which act like a refrigerant - a process known as sympathetic cooling.To achieve sympathetic cooling there are many obstacles to overcome. The best way to proceed is to work together with other researchers to tackle the numerous challenges. Not least of these is the problem of working out how many atom-molecule and molecule-molecule collisions there will be per unit time, and understanding what happens in these collisions. This difficult problem requires a combined experimental and theoretical effort. We will also need to work out how atoms and molecules can be stored in the same trap for sufficiently long periods of time, how to prevent them from leaving the trap and how to measure their temperatures. This research brings together experts from around Europe who will collaborate to solve these experimental and theoretical problems and thereby form ultracold polar molecules.

使用激光冷却技术，可以将原子冷却到极低的温度。然而，由于分子具有复杂的内部结构，该技术不能直接应用于冷分子。然而，目前人们非常希望冷却分子，特别是能够将长程相互作用带入冷气体的极性分子。一种非常有前途的生产超冷分子的方法是将分子与超冷原子捕获在一起。然后，分子与原子碰撞，原子的作用类似于制冷剂，这一过程称为交感冷却。要实现交感冷却，需要克服许多障碍。最好的方法是与其他研究人员合作应对众多挑战。其中最重要的问题是计算出每单位时间将发生多少次原子-分子和分子-分子碰撞，并了解这些碰撞中会发生什么。这个难题需要实验和理论的结合。我们还需要弄清楚原子和分子如何在同一个陷阱中存储足够长的时间，如何防止它们离开陷阱以及如何测量它们的温度。这项研究汇集了来自欧洲各地的专家，他们将合作解决这些实验和理论问题，从而形成超冷极性分子。