Trap Loss Due to Nonadiabatic Transitions in Electrostatically Trapped Ammonia

Undergraduate Honors Thesis

Citations

Citeable URL: https://scholar.colorado.edu/concern/undergraduate_honors_theses/c534fp441

Abstract

In AMO (Atomic, Molecular, and Optical) physics, an important part of making precise measurements is obtaining and keeping high phase-space densities of the atoms or molecules being trapped. When working with atoms, nonadiabatic transitions from trapped states to non-trapped states are a key component of trap loss. The theoretical consensus has been that electrostatically trapped molecules, unlike atoms have very low loss rates due to nonadiabatic transitions. However, [1] performed the ﬁrst experimental study of loss due to nonadiabatic transitions in electrostatically trapped ammonia and claim that they cause signiﬁcant trap loss. This thesis presents my work on developing a computer simulation to model ammonia in an electrostatic trap and a simple model of trap loss due to nonadiabatic transitions. This thesis will provide background information on the slowing and trapping of molecules and the nonadiabatic transition that causes trap loss.

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