Optimizing the Stark-decelerator beamline for the trapping of cold molecules using evolutionary strategies

摘要

We demonstrate feedback control optimization for the Stark deceleration andtrapping of neutral polar molecules using evolutionary strategies. In aStark-decelerator beamline pulsed electric fields are used to decelerate OHradicals and subsequently store them in an electrostatic trap. The efficiencyof the deceleration and trapping process is determined by the exact timings ofthe applied electric field pulses. Automated optimization of these timingsyields an increase of 40 % of the number of trapped OH radicals.