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Vortex beams of atoms and molecules
Alon Luski1, Yair Segev1, Rea David1
1Faculty of Chemistry, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|September 13, 2021
Summary
Researchers created vortex beams using atoms and molecules, not just elementary particles. This breakthrough in orbital angular momentum (OAM) could advance atomic physics research.
Area of Science:
- Quantum mechanics
- Atomic and molecular physics
- Optics and photonics
Background:
- Orbital angular momentum (OAM) is crucial in quantum mechanics, observed from subatomic particles to superfluids.
- Vortex beams with OAM are routinely created using photons and electrons.
- Experimental creation of vortex beams with nonelementary particles remained unachieved.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally demonstrate the creation of vortex beams using nonelementary particles like atoms and molecules.
- To establish a general method for generating OAM vortex beams in atomic and molecular gases.
Main Methods:
- Diffracting supersonic beams of helium atoms and dimers off transmission gratings.
- Utilizing a general method applicable to various atomic and molecular gases.
Main Results:
- Successfully generated vortex beams carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) using helium atoms and dimers.
- Demonstrated that the diffraction method is effective for nonelementary particles.
Conclusions:
- The creation of atomic and molecular vortex beams is now experimentally feasible.
- This opens new avenues in atomic physics for exploring collisions and interactions using OAM.
- The method's generality suggests broad applicability across different atomic and molecular systems.
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