Kinetics of a single trapped ion in an ultracold buffer gas

Year: 2011

Authors: Zipkes C., Ratschbacher L., Sias C., Köhl M.

Autors Affiliation: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, JJ Thomson Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK

Abstract: The immersion of a single ion confined by a radiofrequency (RF) trap in an ultracold atomic gas extends the concept of buffer gas cooling to a new temperature regime. The steady-state energy distribution of the ion is determined by its kinetics in the RF field rather than the temperature of the buffer gas. Moreover, the finite size of the ultracold gas facilitates the observation of back-action of the ion onto the buffer gas. We numerically investigate the system\’s properties depending on atom-ion mass ratio, trap geometry, differential cross-section and non-uniform neutral atom density distribution. Experimental results are well reproduced by our model considering only elastic collisions. We identify excess micromotion to set the typical scale for the ion energy statistics and explore the applicability of the mobility collision cross-section to the ultracold regime.

Journal/Review: NEW JOURNAL OF PHYSICS

Volume: 13 (5)      Pages from: 053020  to: 053020

More Information: We thank EPSRC (EP/F016379/1, EP/H005676/1), ERC (grant no. 240335), and the Herchel Smith Fund for support.
DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/13/5/053020

Citations: 56
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