Laser-trapping of rare element gets unexpected assist

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Jin Wang (left) and Jeffrey Guest both of Argonneacutes Physics Division were part of a team of researchers developing techniques for capturing radium atoms in this magneto-optical trap. Their efforts received an assist from an unexpected source. Pho ...
Jin Wang (left) and Jeffrey Guest, both of Argonne's Physics Division, were part of a team of researchers developing techniques for capturing radium atoms in this magneto-optical trap. Their efforts received an assist from an unexpected source. Photo by George Joch.

Argonne researchers have successfully laser-cooled and trapped atoms of radium — the first time this rare element has been captured in a magneto-optical trap — with an assist from an unexpected source.


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