Two-dimensional trapping of dipolar molecules in time-varying electric fields

Phys Rev Lett. 2004 Jun 4;92(22):223001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.92.223001. Epub 2004 Jun 1.

Abstract

Simultaneous two-dimensional trapping of neutral dipolar molecules in low- and high-field seeking states is analyzed. A trapping potential of the order of 20 mK can be produced for molecules such as ND3 with time-dependent electric fields. The analysis is in agreement with an experiment where slow molecules with longitudinal velocities of the order of 20 m/s are guided between four 50 cm long rods driven by an alternating electric potential at a frequency of a few kHz.