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Observation of Single Compton-Electron Tracks in Superfluid Helium-4 and Trace Detection of Metastable Helium Molecules by Laser-Induced-Fluorescence Imaging

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Abstract

We use laser-induced fluorescence enhanced by a cycling transition to image metastable helium molecules in liquid helium-4. We demonstrate that the method achieves sufficient sensitivity to image the trail of helium molecules that forms along the track of a single high-energy electron created by Compton scattering of a 511 keV gamma ray in liquid helium. The experiments show that a liquid helium detector with optical readout can function as an electron-tracking Compton camera when combined with conventional gamma-ray detectors. The demonstrated sensitivity for imaging helium molecules could also find application in the spectroscopy and imaging of neutrons, detection of electronic and nuclear recoil events, and investigation of superfluid or normal-fluid flow in liquid helium using the molecules as passive tracer particles.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Department, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA

    J. D. Wright, S. B. Cahn, A. Curioni, J. A. Nikkel & D. N. McKinsey

  2. Physics Department, University of California—Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    W. G. Rellergert

Authors
  1. J. D. Wright
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  2. W. G. Rellergert
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  3. S. B. Cahn
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  4. A. Curioni
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  5. J. A. Nikkel
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  6. D. N. McKinsey
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Correspondence to J. D. Wright.

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Wright, J.D., Rellergert, W.G., Cahn, S.B. et al. Observation of Single Compton-Electron Tracks in Superfluid Helium-4 and Trace Detection of Metastable Helium Molecules by Laser-Induced-Fluorescence Imaging. J Low Temp Phys 158, 331–338 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-009-0037-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10909-009-0037-2

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