Focusing and Orientation of Symmetric-Top Molecules with the Electric Six-Pole Field

Abstract

The electric six‐pole field is employed for focusing of beams of symmetric‐top molecules via the first‐order Stark effect. Molecules capable of a specified degree of orientation of dipole moment with respect to an electric‐field vector can be selected according to the voltage applied to the electrodes of the six‐pole field. The rotational angular momentum of the focused molecules can also be well aligned with the field. Experiments with CH₃I and CHI₃, prolate and oblate tops, have been carried out to illustrate the method.