Abstract
We demonstrate a scheme for magneto-optically trapping strontium monofluoride (SrF) molecules at temperatures one order of magnitude lower and phase space densities 3 orders of magnitude higher than obtained previously with laser-cooled molecules. In our trap, optical dark states are destabilized by rapidly and synchronously reversing the trapping laser polarizations and the applied magnetic field gradient. The number of molecules and trap lifetime are also significantly improved from previous work by loading the trap with high laser power and then reducing the power for long-term trapping. With this procedure, temperatures as low as are achieved.
- Received 1 December 2015
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.116.063004
© 2016 American Physical Society
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
Synopsis
Deep Freezing Molecules
Published 10 February 2016
Researchers cooled trapped molecules well below —a record temperature for molecules that have not been assembled from pre-cooled atoms.
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