Abstract
Strategies to produce an ultracold sample of carbon atoms are explored and assessed with the
help of quantum chemistry. After a brief discussion of the experimental difficulties using
conventional methods, two strategies are investigated. The first attempts to exploit charge
exchange reactions between ultracold metal atoms and sympathetically cooled C+ ions. Ab initio
calculations including electron correlation have been conducted on the molecular ions [LiC]+ and
[BeC]+ to determine whether alkali or alkaline earth metals are a suitable buffer gas for the
formation of C atoms but strong spontaneous radiative charge exchange ensure they are not
ideal. The second technique involves the stimulated production of ultracold C atoms from a gas
of laser cooled carbides. Calculations on LiC suggest that the alkali carbides are not suitable but
the CH radical is a possible laser cooling candidate thanks to very favourable Frank-Condon
factors. A scheme based on a four pulse STIRAP excitation pathway to a Feshbach resonance is
outlined for the production of atomic fragments with near zero centre of mass velocity.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 19036-19051 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 42 |
Early online date | 05 Oct 2011 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2011 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
- General Physics and Astronomy