Injection of atoms and molecules in a superfluid helium fountain: Cu and Cu2He(n) (n = 1, ..., ∞).

We introduce an experimental platform designed around a thermomechanical helium fountain, which is aimed at investigating spectroscopy and dynamics of atoms and molecules in the superfluid and at its vapor interface. Laser ablation of copper, efficient cooling and transport of Cu and Cu(2) through helium vapor (1.5 K < T < 20 K), formation of linear and T-shaped Cu(2)-He complexes, and their continuous evolution into large Cu(2)-He(n) clusters and droplets are among the processes that are illustrated. Reflection is the dominant quantum scattering channel of translationally cold copper atoms (T = 1.7 K) at the fountain interface. Cu(2) dimers mainly travel through the fountain unimpeded. How…