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arXiv · 2506.12892

Blue-detuned Magneto-optical Trap of BaF molecules

Zixuan Zeng·Shoukang Yang·Shuhua Deng·Bo Yan
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Abstract

We report the realization of a blue-detuned magneto-optical trap (BDM) of BaF molecules. The (1 + 1) type BDM and (1 + 2) type conveyor-belt MOT are explored. While the (1+1) BDM provides only weak trapping force, the conveyor-belt MOT significantly compresses the molecular cloud, achieving a radius of 320(20) {\mu}m, a temperature of 240(60) {\mu}K, and a peak density of 1.3{\times}10^7 cm^{-3}, representing a significant improvement over the red MOT. Interestingly, the conveyor-belt MOT of BaF exhibits a large capture velocity, and the loading efficiency from red MOT reaches near unity even without gray molasses. We confirm this by directly loading slowed molecules into the conveyor-belt MOT.

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Zixuan Zeng, Shoukang Yang, Shuhua Deng, Bo Yan. 2025-06-15. Blue-detuned Magneto-optical Trap of BaF molecules. https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.12892

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