Giant formation rates of ultracold molecules via Feshbach Optimized Photoassociation

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that Feshbach Optimized Photoassociation significantly enhances ultracold molecule formation rates, especially in deeply bound levels, with potential applications in quantum technologies.

Contribution

It introduces the FOPA technique, combining Feshbach resonance and photoassociation to greatly increase ultracold molecule production rates.

Findings

Enhanced formation rates by several orders of magnitude.

Giant rate coefficients in deeply bound molecular levels.

Analytical expression for photoassociation rates provided.

Abstract

Ultracold molecules offer a broad variety of applications, ranging from metrology to quantum computing. However, forming "real" ultracold molecules, {\it i.e.} in deeply bound levels, is a very difficult proposition. Here, we show how photoassociation in the vicinity of a Feshbach resonance enhance molecular formation rates by several orders of magnitude. We illustrate this effect in heteronuclear systems, and find giant rate coefficients even in deeply bound levels. We also give a simple analytical expression for the photoassociation rates, and discuss future applications of the Feshbach Optimized Photoassociation, or FOPA, technique.