Datensatz

Zusammenfassung

A new cryogenic linear Paul trap for atomic, molecular and highly charged ions was designed and constructed at MPIK. Experiments with laser-cooled Mg+ ions in the mK-regime and with sympathetically cooled MgH⁺ molecular ions provided evidence for an excellent vacuum as well as a strongly reduced inuence of the black body radiation at the trap center. Measurements proved that more than 90% of the population of the MgH⁺ ions can be found in the lowest three rotational states. By laser excitation it was possible to transfer the main part of the ions into the absolute ground state. The population transfer rates for the lowest four rotational states were investigated, additionally to measuring for the first time the decay constant of a deterministically prepared rovibronic state of the MgH⁺ ion. A decay constant Γ = (7,02 +/- 1,26) Hz was determined for the radiative decay of the |ν = 1, J = 1> state to the ground state.