A cold and controlled lithium beam for reaction dynamics studies

Abstract

This paper presents a method for preparing a cold and slowed atomic beam of ⁷Li. By adjusting the laser’s detuning and the magnetic field of a custom-built Zeeman slower, we achieve a velocity-selected atomic beam of ⁷Li from 53 m/s to 544 m/s. Simulations demonstrate the potential to separate the decelerated beam through deflection experiments. Subsequently, the atoms are cooled to 22 mK in a Magneto-Optical Trap. We also demonstrate the ability to generate a pulsed, lower-speed atomic beam from 7 m/s to 67 m/s through simulation. This atomic beam is essential for exploring reaction dynamics at low temperatures.