Controlled preparation and vibrational excitation of single ultracold molecular hydrogen ions

A single, trapped and ultracold molecular hydrogen ion is an attractive quantum system for exploring various aspects of fundamental physics, such as the determination of fundamental constants and testing their time-independence. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, controlled loading, sympathetic cooling, mass spectrometric identification, and vibrational excitation of ultracold single HD+ ions trapped in a tightly confining radiofrequency trap using single laser-cooled Be+ ions for sympathetic cooling. The apparatus can be used also for preparing other single ions, both lighter and heavier than the coolant ion. [GRAPHICS] .

Automated summary

In this study, controlled loading, sympathetic cooling, mass spectrometric identification, and vibrational excitation of ultracold single HD+ ions trapped in a tightly confining radiofrequency trap are demonstrated for the first time using single laser-cooled Be+ ions for sympathetic cooling. The apparatus can also be utilized for preparing other single ions, both lighter and heavier than the coolant ion.