Achievement

A detailed analysis of linear ion traps for use with large Coulomb crystals was carried out by the Odom group. This was followed by the production of SiO molecules by ablation along with their detection by fluorescence. The IGERT's atom trapping program as a whole was enhanced by the development of our first home-built external-cavity diode lasers; these can be utilized other labs participating in the IGERT program, particularly the new Rb trapping system involving students associated with three cooperating faculty.