Electric-Field-Controlled Cold Dipolar Collisions between Trapped CH3F Molecules

Reaching high densities is a key step toward cold-collision experiments with polyatomic molecules. We use a cryofuge to load up to 2 x 10(7) CH3F molecules into a boxlike electric trap, achieving densities up to 10(7)/cm(3) at temperatures around 350 mK where the elastic dipolar cross section exceeds 7 x 10(-12) cm(2). We measure inelastic rate constants below 4 x 10(-8) cm(3)/s and control these by tuning a homogeneous electric field that covers a large fraction of the trap volume. Comparison to ab initio calculations gives excellent agreement with dipolar relaxation. Our techniques and findings are generic and immediately relevant for other cold-molecule collision experiments.

Automated summary

The paper investigates the method of achieving high-density cold collision experiments by controlling the electric field. The researchers used a cryofuge to load CH3F molecules into an electric trap, reaching densities up to 10(7)/cm3, and successfully controlled the inelastic rate constants by tuning the electric field. The findings have implications for other cold-molecule collision experiments.