Slow ground state molecules from matrix isolation sublimation

We describe a cryogenic beam of 7Li2 dimers from sublimation of a neon matrix where Li atoms have been implanted via laser ablation of solid precursors of LiH. Laser absorption spectroscopy measured: T~7 K, Trot ~ 6K, drift velocity of 130 ms−1 with molecular density of 10^9 cm−3.