Detection and Imaging of He_2 Molecules in Superfluid Helium

Rellergert, W. G.; Cahn, S. B.; Garvan, A.; Hanson, J. C.; Lippincott, W. H.; Nikkel, J. A.; McKinsey, D. N.

Detection and Imaging of He_2 Molecules in Superfluid Helium

Authors

Description

We present data that show a cycling transition can be used to detect and image metastable He$_2$ triplet molecules in superfluid helium. We demonstrate that limitations on the cycling efficiency due to the vibrational structure of the molecule can be mitigated by the use of repumping lasers. Images of the molecules obtained using the method are also shown. This technique gives rise to a new kind of ionizing radiation detector. The use of He$_2$ triplet molecules as tracer particles in the superfluid promises to be a powerful tool for visualization of both quantum and classical turbulence in liquid helium.
4 pages, 5 figures, content revised