An optical micro-linear accelerator for molecules and atoms

Summary form only given. Acceleration of molecules within a time varying electric field produced by an optical traveling wave has been proposed as a means to accelerate neutral particles to high velocity. This technique is attractive because extremely large Stark forces can be produced by the high electric field gradients that can be created within an optical traveling wave. The electrodeless electric field gradient produced by focused laser beams can be orders of magnitude greater than electrostatic gradients, allowing acceleration of polar as well as polarizable molecules and atoms. This concept has already been used to accelerate ultracold atoms in a very weak optical periodic potentials, or lattices, and acceleration up to the velocities in the m/s velocity was observed. We report on the study of acceleration of polarizable particles to velocities in excess of 10 km/s range in an accelerated optical lattice, using high intensity pulsed fields.