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arXiv · 2212.07472

Blue-Detuned Magneto-Optical Trap of Molecules

Justin J. Burau·Parul Aggarwal·Kameron Mehling·Jun Ye
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Abstract

Direct laser cooling of molecules has reached a phase space density exceeding 10$^{-6}$ in optical traps, but with rather small molecular numbers. To progress towards quantum degeneracy, a mechanism is needed that combines sub-Doppler cooling and magneto-optical trapping (MOT) to facilitate near unity transfer of ultracold molecules from the MOT to a conservative optical trap. Using the unique energy level structure of YO molecules, we demonstrate the first blue-detuned MOT for molecules that is optimized for both gray-molasses sub-Doppler cooling and relatively strong trapping forces. This first sub-Doppler molecular MOT provides an increase of phase-space density by two orders of magnitude over any previously reported molecular MOT.

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Justin J. Burau, Parul Aggarwal, Kameron Mehling, Jun Ye. 2022-12-14. Blue-Detuned Magneto-Optical Trap of Molecules. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.130.193401

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