Magnetic trapping of atomic nitrogen (^14N) and cotrapping of NH (X-triplet-Sigma-)

Abstract

We observe magnetic trapping of atomic nitrogen (N14) and cotrapping of ground-state imidogen (N14H, XΣ−3). Both are loaded directly from a room-temperature beam via buffer gas cooling. We trap approximately 1×1011 N14 atoms at a peak density of 5×1011cm−3 at 550mK. The 12±4s 1∕e lifetime of atomic nitrogen in the trap is consistent with a model for loss of atoms over the edge of the trap in the presence of helium buffer gas. Cotrapping of N14 and N14H is accomplished, with 108 NH trapped molecules at a peak density of 108cm−3.