Microwave lens for polar molecules

Phys Rev Lett. 2010 Jun 25;104(25):253001. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.104.253001. Epub 2010 Jun 23.

Abstract

We here report on the implementation of a microwave lens for neutral polar molecules suitable to focus molecules in both low-field-seeking and high-field-seeking states. By using the TE{11m} modes of a 12 cm long cylindrically symmetric microwave resonator, Stark-decelerated ammonia molecules are transversally confined. We investigate the focusing properties of this microwave lens as a function of the molecules' velocity, the microwave power, and the frequency detuning Δ from the molecular resonance. Such a microwave lens can be seen as a first important step towards further microwave devices, such as decelerators and traps.