A high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer for the detection of ultracold molecules

We have realized a high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometer combined with a magneto-optical trap. The spectrometer enables excellent optical access to the trapped atomic cloud using specifically devised acceleration and deflection electrodes. The ions are extracted along a laser beam axis and deflected onto an off-axis detector. The setup is applied to detect atoms and molecules photoassociated from ultracold atoms. The detection is based on resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization. Mass resolution up to m/Delta m = 1000 at the mass of 133^Cs is achieved. The performance of this spectrometer is demonstrated in the detection of photoassociated ultracold 7^Li133^Cs molecules near a large signal of 133^Cs ions.