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arXiv · 1807.06618

High-resolution spectroscopy on cold electrically trapped formaldehyde

Alexander Prehn·Martin Ibrügger·Gerhard Rempe·Martin Zeppenfeld
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Abstract

We present precision spectroscopy on electrically trapped formaldehyde (H$_2$CO), demonstrating key attributes which will enable molecular spectroscopy with unprecedented precision. Our method makes use of a microstructured electric trap with homogeneous fields in the trap center and rotational transitions with minimal Stark broadening at a 'magic' offset electric field. Using molecules cooled to the low millikelvin temperature regime via optoelectrical Sisyphus cooling, we reduce Stark broadening on the $J=5\leftarrow4$ ($K=3$) transition at 364 GHz to well below 1 kHz, observe Doppler-limited linewidths down to 3.8 kHz, and determine the line position with sub-kHz uncertainty. Our results and clear prospects for even narrower spectra pave the way towards in-trap precision spectroscopy on diverse molecule species.

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Alexander Prehn, Martin Ibrügger, Gerhard Rempe, Martin Zeppenfeld. 2018-07-17. High-resolution spectroscopy on cold electrically trapped formaldehyde. https://arxiv.org/abs/1807.06618

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