Production of ultracold heteronuclear YbRb* molecules by photoassociation
We have produced ultracold heteronuclear YbRb$^*$ molecules in a combined magneto-optical trap by photoassociation. The formation of electronically excited molecules close to the dissociation limit was observed by trap loss spectroscopy in mixtures of $^{87}$Rb with $^{174}$Yb and $^{176}$Yb. The molecules could be prepared in a series of vibrational levels with resolved rotational structure, allowing for an experimental determination of the long-range potential in the electronically excited state.
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