Bright, guided molecular beam with hydrodynamic enhancement

Abstract

The authors realize a novel high flux source of cold atoms and molecules employing hydrodynamic enhancement of an effusive aperture at cryogenic temperatures. Molecular oxygen from the source is coupled to a magnetic guide, delivering a cold, continuous, guided flux of 3 x 10(12) O(2) s(-1). The dynamics of the source are studied by creating and spectroscopically analyzing high flux beams of atomic ytterbium.