Formation of ultracold RbCs molecules by photoassociation

The formation of ultracold metastable RbCs molecules is observed in a double species magneto-optical trap through photoassociation below the ⁸⁵Rb(5S_1/2) + ¹³³Cs(6P_3/2) dissociation limit followed by spontaneous emission. The molecules are detected by resonance enhanced two-photon ionization. Using accurate quantum chemistry calculations of the potential energy curves and transition dipole moment, we interpret the observed photoassociation process as occurring at short internuclear distance, in contrast with most previous cold atom photoassociation studies. The vibrational levels excited by photoassociation belong to the 5th 0⁺ or the 4th 0^? electronic states correlated to the Rb(5P_{1/2, 3/2}) + Cs(6S_1/2) dissociation limit. The computed vibrational distribution of the produced molecules shows that they are stabilized in deeply bound vibrational states of the lowest triplet state. We also predict that a noticeable fraction of molecules is produced in the lowest level of the electronic ground state.     

Production and state-selective detection of ultracold RbCs molecules

Using resonance-enhanced two-photon ionization, we detect ultracold, metastable RbCs molecules formed in their lowest triplet state a (3)Sigma(+) via photoassociation in a laser-cooled mixture of 85Rb and 133Cs atoms. We obtain extensive bound-bound excitation spectra of these molecules, which provide detailed information about their vibrational distribution, as well as spectroscopic data on several RbCs molecular states including a (3)Sigma(+), (2) (3)Sigma(+), and (1) (1)Pi. Analysis of this data allows us to predict strong transitions from observed levels to the absolute vibronic ground state of RbCs, potentially allowing the production of stable, ultracold polar molecules at rates in excess of 10(6) s(-1).     

Ultracold collisions involving heteronuclear alkali metal dimers

We carry out the first quantum dynamics calculations on ultracold atom-diatom collisions in isotopic mixtures. The systems studied are spin-polarized 7Li + 6Li7Li, 7Li + 6Li2, 6Li + 6Li7Li, and 6Li + 7Li2. Reactive scattering can occur for the first two systems even when the molecules are in their ground rovibrational states, but is slower than vibrational relaxation in homonuclear systems. Implications for sympathetic cooling of heteronuclear molecules are discussed.     

Efficient production of ground-state potassium molecules at sub-mK temperatures by two-step photoassociation

We have developed a two-step " R-transfer" method that efficiently produces translationally ultracold potassium molecules in the X (1)Sigma(+)(g) electronic ground state. Laser-cooled atoms are initially photoassociated at large internuclear separation R to form molecules in high vibrational levels of the 1 (1)Pi(g) state, which are in turn excited by an additional laser to shorter-range Rydberg states such as 5 (1)Pi(u) and 6 (1)Pi(u). Subsequent radiative decay produces ground-state molecules at rates up to 10(5) molecules/second per vibrational level.     

High resolution photoassociation spectra of an ultracold Cs2 long-range 0u＋ （6S1/2 ＋ 6P1/2） state＊

In this paper, ultracold cesium molecules are formed through photoassociation technology, which is carried out in a magneto-optical trap. High resolution photoassociaion spectra with the rotational progressions up to J = 7 are obtained. Three rovibrational levels of the long-range 0＋ state of Cs2 below the （6S1/2 ＋ 6P1/2） dissociation limit are specifically investigated. By fitting their binding energy intervals to the non-rigid rotational model, the rotational constant of the long- range 0u＋ state is determined. A proportional dependence of the value of the rotational constant on the vibrational quantum number is demonstrated.     

超冷铯分子0u+(6P3/2)长程态的高灵敏光缔合光谱研究

利用发展的调制俘获损耗荧光光谱技术实验测量了超冷铯分子0_u⁺(6P_3/2)长程态的高灵敏光缔合光谱. 光谱探测范围较国际已有报道扩大了60 cm^-1, 观察到25个长程区域新的振动能级. 通过LeRoy-Bernstein公式对振动束缚能数据进行拟合, 获得了超冷铯分子0_u⁺(6P_3/2)态的长程系数C₃ 为16.103±0.010. 构建了超冷铯分子0_u⁺(6P_3/2)态长程区域的势能曲线.     

ns6s里德堡分子的势能曲线

里德堡电子与基态原子的低能电子散射形成长程里德堡分子,这种分子具有大的轨道半径,丰富的振动能级和永久电偶极矩等特点。本文考虑铯里德堡ns态与(n-4)l(n为主量子数,l为角量子数且l2)近简并态的非绝热耦合与p-波共振现象,数值计算了长程铯里德堡分子的势能曲线。分析ns6s(n=32-36)态分子最外层势阱,研究了长程里德堡分子的势阱深度、平衡距离与主量子数n的关系,为实验研究长程里德堡分子提供理论依据。     

Conversion of an atomic Fermi gas to a long-lived molecular Bose gas

We have converted an ultracold Fermi gas of 6Li atoms into an ultracold gas of 6Li2 molecules by adiabatic passage through a Feshbach resonance. Approximately 1.5 x 10(5) molecules in the least-bound, v=38, vibrational level of the X1Sigma(+)(g) singlet state are produced with an efficiency of 50%. The molecules remain confined in an optical trap for times of up to 1 s before we dissociate them by a reverse adiabatic sweep.     

Formation of ultracold polar molecules via Raman excitation

Alkali hydride molecules are very polar, exhibiting large ground-state dipole moments. As ultracold sources of alkali atoms, as well as hydrogen, have been created in the laboratory, we explore theoretically the feasibility of forming such molecules from a mixture of the ultracold atomic gases, employing a two-photon stimulated radiative association process -- Raman excitation. Using accurate molecular potential energy curves and dipole transition moments, we have calculated the rate coefficients for populating all the vibrational levels of the X state of LiH via the excited A state. We have found that significant molecule formation rates can be realized with laser intensities and atomic densities that are attainable experimentally. Because of the large X state dipole moment, rapid cascade occurs down the ladder of vibrational levels to v = 0. The calculated recoil momentum imparted to the molecule is small, and thus negligible trap loss results from the cascade process. This allows for the build-up of a large population of v = 0 trapped molecules.Received: 31 August 2004, Published online: 23 November 2004PACS: 34.50.Rk Laser-modified scattering and reactions - 32.80.Pj Optical cooling of atoms; trapping - 33.20.Vq Vibration-rotation analysis     

Photoassociation spectra of ultracold ~(85)Rb_2 molecule in 0_u~+ long range state near the 5S_(1/2)+ 5P_(1/2) asymptote

We investigate the high resolution photoassociation spectra of ~(85)Rb_2 molecules in 0~+_u long range state below the(5S_(1/2)+ 5P_(1/2)) asymptote. The ~(85)Rb atomic samples are trapped in a dark magneto–optical trap(MOT) and prepared in the dark state. With the help of trap loss technique, we obtain considerable photoassociation spectroscopy with rovibrational resolution, some of which have never been observed before. The observed spectrum is fitted by a rigid rotation model, and the rotational constants of ultracold ~(85)Rb_2 molecule in long range 0~+_u are obtained for different vibrational states. By applying the Le Roy–Bernstein method, we assign the vibrational quantum numbers and derive C_3 coefficient, which is used to obtain the potential energy curve.     

Production of ultracold, polar RbCs* molecules via photoassociation

We have produced ultracold, polar RbCs* molecules via photoassociation in a laser-cooled mixture of Rb and Cs atoms. Using a model of the RbCs* molecular interaction which reproduces the observed rovibrational structure, we infer decay rates in our experiments into deeply bound X(1)Sigma(+) ground-state RbCs vibrational levels as high as 5 x 10(5) s(-1) per level. Population in such deeply bound levels could be efficiently transferred to the vibrational ground state using a single stimulated Raman transition, opening the possibility to create large samples of stable, ultracold polar molecules.     

Enhanced Sensitivity to Variation of m(e)/m(p) in molecular spectra

We propose new experiments with high sensitivity to a possible variation of the electron-to-proton mass ratio mu identical with m(e)/m(p). We consider a nearly degenerate pair of molecular vibrational levels, each associated with a different electronic potential. With respect to a change in mu, the change in the splitting between such levels can be large both on an absolute scale and relative to the splitting. We demonstrate the existence of such pairs of states in Cs2, where the narrow spectral lines achievable with ultracold molecules make the system promising for future searches for small variations in mu.     

Coherent optical transfer of Feshbach molecules to a lower vibrational state

Using the technique of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) we have coherently transferred ultracold (87)Rb(2) Feshbach molecules into a more deeply bound vibrational quantum level. Our measurements indicate a high transfer efficiency of up to 87%. Because the molecules are held in an optical lattice with not more than a single molecule per lattice site, inelastic collisions between the molecules are suppressed and we observe long molecular lifetimes of about 1 s. Using STIRAP we have created quantum superpositions of the two molecular states and tested their coherence interferometrically. These results represent an important step towards Bose-Einstein condensation of molecules in the vibrational ground state.     

The photoassociative spectroscopy, photoassociative molecule formation, and trapping of ultracold \mathsf{^{39}K^{85}Rb}

We have observed the photoassociative spectra of colliding ultracold ³⁹K and ⁸⁵Rb atoms to produce KRb* in all eight bound electronic states correlating with the ³⁹K (4s) + ⁸⁵Rb(5p _1/2 and 5p _3/2) asymptotes. These electronically excited KRb* ultracold molecules are detected after their radiative decay to the metastable triplet (a state and (in some cases) the singlet (X ground state. The triplet (a ultracold molecules are detected by two-photon ionization at 602.5 nm to form KRb ⁺ , followed by time-of-flight mass spectroscopy. We are able to assign a majority of the spectrum to three states (2(0 ⁺ ), 2(0^-), 2(1)) in a lower triad of states with similar C ₆ values correlating to the K(4s) + Rb (5p _1/2) asymptote; and to five states in an upper triad of three states (3(0 ⁺ ), 3(0^-), 3(1)) and a dyad of two states (4(1), 1(2)), with one set of similar C ₆ values within the upper triad and a different set of similar C ₆ values within the dyad. We are also able to make connection with the short-range spectra of Kasahara et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 111, 8857 (1999)], identifying three of our levels as v = 61, 62 and 63 of the 1 4(1) state they observed. We also argue that ultracold photoassociation to levels between the K(4s) + Rb (5p _3/2) and K(4s) + Rb (5p _1/2) asymptotes may be weakly or strongly predissociated and therefore difficult to observe by ionization of a (or X molecules; we do know from Kasahara et al. that levels of the 1 4(1) and 2 5(1) states in the intra-asymptote region are predissociated. A small fraction ( 1/3) of the triplet (a ultracold molecules formed are trapped in the weak magnetic field of our magneto-optical trap (MOT).Received: 22 September 2004, Published online: 23 November 2004PACS: 33.20.Fb Raman and Rayleigh spectra (including optical scattering) - 34.20.Cf Interatomic potentials and forces - 33.80.Ps Optical cooling of molecules; trapping     

超冷铯分子0g-长程态的振转光谱研究

通过超冷铯原子光缔合制备激发态的超冷铯分子. 利用冷原子荧光频率调制技术获得了超冷铯分子第一激发态6S_1/2+6P_3/2离解限0_g^-长程态高分辨振转光谱, 计算得到0_g^- 长程态振动量子数从0到51的不同振动能级的转动常数, 和Daniel研究小组的理论结果符合得很好. 关键词： 超冷铯分子 光缔合 振转光谱     

Formation of cold bialkali dimers on helium nanodroplets

Cold alkali diatomic molecules (LiCs, NaCs) in the lowest vibrational state of the electronic triplet ground state are formed on superfluid helium nanodroplets. Using photoionization detection the excitation spectra of the transitions are recorded. The splitting of the vibrational structure in the LiCs spectrum, not observed in the NaCs spectrum, is interpreted in terms of molecular fine structure. The spectra are well reproduced by a model based on quantum chemistry potential curves including spin-orbit coupling, in combination with an asymmetric line shape function to account for cluster-induced broadening. Our refined potential curves provide important input data for the photoassociation of ultracold dipolar alkali molecules from atomic quantum gases.Received: 1 July 2004, Published online: 26 October 2004PACS: 36.40.Mr Spectroscopy and geometrical structure of clusters - 34.50.Gb Electronic excitation and ionization of molecules; intermediate molecular states (including lifetimes, state mixing, etc.) - 33.20.-t Molecular spectra     

激光冷却OH分子的理论研究

采用高精度的多参考组态相互作用方法计算OH分子基态和第一激发态的势能曲线.为获得更精确的计算结果,在计算过程中考虑Davidson修正、标量相对论效应、核价相关效应和自旋轨道耦合效应.基于计算的Λ-S和?态的势能曲线,对一维径向薛定谔方程进行数值求解,得到各个电子态的光谱数据,与已报道的实验值和理论值相符合.获得OH分子的永久偶极矩、跃迁偶极矩、振动能级、Franck-Condon因子及辐射寿命,结果表明,A~2Σ~+→X~2Π跃迁具有高度对角化的Franck-Condon因子(0.9053)和短的辐射寿命(5.8363×10~(-7)s),符合激光冷却分子的条件.制定了激光冷却OH分子的具体方案,计算得到激光冷却跃迁A~2Σ~+→X~2Π所需的三束激光波长,主光束波长为307.1532 nm,两束重抽运激光波长为344.9163和349.7659 nm.计算结果为超冷OH分子的实验制备提供重要的理论依据.     

Population redistribution in optically trapped polar molecules

We investigate the rovibrational population redistribution of polar molecules in the electronic ground state induced by spontaneous emission and blackbody radiation. As a model system we use optically trapped LiCs molecules formed by photoassociation in an ultracold two-species gas. The population dynamics of vibrational and rotational states is modeled using an ab initio electric dipole moment function and experimental potential energy curves. Comparison with the evolution of the v″ = 3 electronic ground state yields good qualitative agreement. The analysis provides important input to assess applications of ultracold LiCs molecules in quantum simulation and ultracold chemistry.     

Optimizing the photoassociation of cold atoms by use of chirped laser pulses

Photoassociation of ultracold atoms induced by chirped picosecond pulses is analyzed in a non-perturbative treatment by following the wavepacket dynamics on the ground and excited surfaces. The initial state is described by a Boltzmann distribution of stationary continuum states. The chosen example is photoassociation of cesium atoms at temperature K from the continuum to bound levels in the external well of the 0 _g ^-(6s + 6p _3/2) potential. We study how the modification of the pulse characteristics (carrier frequency, duration, linear chirp rate and intensity) can enhance the number of photoassociated molecules and suggest ways of optimizing the production of stable molecules.Received: 30 June 2004, Published online: 23 November 2004PACS: 33.80.Ps Optical cooling of molecules; trapping - 33.80.-b Photon interactions with molecules - 33.90. + h Other topics in molecular properties and interactions with photons - 33.80.Gj Diffuse spectra; predissociation, photodissociation     

Electronic states of CsLi and CsLi<Superscript>+</Superscript> molecules

Configuration interaction calculations have been carried out on electronic states of the CsLi molecule and the CsLi⁺ cation. Adiabatic potential energy, spectroscopic constants, dipole moments, and vibrational levels are presented for the lowest states of ^1,3Σ⁺, ^1,3Π, and ^1,3Δ symmetries of the alkali dimer CsLi molecule dissociating into Cs (6s, 6p, 5d, 7s, and 7p) + Li (2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, and 3d) as well as for the lowest ²Σ⁺, ²Π, and ²Δ electronic states of the CsLi⁺ cation dissociating into Li (2s, 2p, 3s, 3p, and 3d) + Cs⁺ and Li⁺ + Cs (6s, 6p, 5d, 7s, and 7p). The results of the present many-electron configuration interaction calculations on the cation support the previous core-polarization effective potential calculations. The present calculations on the CsLi molecule are complementary to previous theoretical work on this system, including recently observed electronic states that had not been calculated previously. We have used an ab initio approach involving a nonempirical pseudopotential for the Li (1s²) and Cs cores and a core-valence correlation correction. A very good agreement of data from spectroscopic constants for some of the lowest states of the CsLi and CsLi⁺ molecules with those available in recent theoretical works has been obtained. The existence of numerous avoided crossings between electronic states of ²Σ⁺ and ²Π symmetries is related to a charge transfer process between the two ionic CsLi⁺ and LiCs⁺ systems.