Event
Laser cooling of a chemically stable molecule with ultraviolet light
About
This event presents research on laser cooling and trapping of aluminum monofluoride (AlF). It takes place at Radboud University, Nijmegen, on Tuesday 10 November 2026 at 16:30.
What to expect
The event description covers laser cooling and trapping of neutral particles, including aluminum monofluoride (AlF).
The thesis shows AlF can be decelerated and trapped using deep ultraviolet light at 227.5 nm.
- About 60,000 AlF molecules trapped
- Temperature around 15 millikelvin
- First excited rotational level
- Trapping extended to higher rotational levels
- Possible use in quantum studies
FAQ
How can I register?
Use the Radboud University event page:
Who organizes the event?
Faculty of Science.
What is the research about?
The thesis demonstrates trapping of aluminum monofluoride (AlF).
AlF is a closed shell molecule and is remarkably unreactive at very low temperatures.
About 60,000 AlF molecules are trapped at around 15 millikelvin.
The trapping uses deep ultraviolet light at 227.5 nm.
Who is J. Eduardo Padilla-Castillo?
He completed a BSc in Physics at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in 2017 and an MSc in Physics at UNAM in 2021.
He is a postdoctoral researcher at the Fritz Haber Institute (Max Planck Society).
In 2025, he and colleagues achieved magneto-optical trapping of aluminum monofluoride.
Getting there
Radboud Universiteit, Houtlaan 4, 6525 XZ Nijmegen, Gelderland, NL
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