Abstract
We report on the creation of ultracold molecules in the electronic ground state. The molecules are formed from atom pairs on sites of an optical lattice using stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP). We achieve a transfer efficiency of 30% and obtain molecules with full control over the external and internal quantum state. STIRAP is performed near the narrow intercombination transition, using a vibrational level of the potential as an intermediate state. In preparation of our molecule association scheme, we have determined the binding energies of the last vibrational levels of the , excited-state and the ground-state potentials. Our work overcomes the previous limitation of STIRAP schemes to systems with magnetic Feshbach resonances, thereby establishing a route that is applicable to many systems beyond alkali-metal dimers.
- Received 20 May 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.115302
© 2012 American Physical Society