The ^1S+^1S asymptote of Sr_2 studied by Fourier-transform spectroscopy

TL;DR

This paper investigates the long-range behavior of the Sr_2 molecule's ground state using high-resolution Fourier-transform spectroscopy, providing precise scattering length data and insights for cold molecule production.

Contribution

It presents new spectroscopic measurements of Sr_2's ground state near the asymptote and derives accurate scattering lengths for different isotopes, aiding cold molecule formation.

Findings

Observed vibrational levels up to v''=60 near the asymptote.

Derived precise scattering length for ^88Sr_2.

Identified optical pathways for creating cold molecules.

Abstract

An experimental study of the long range behavior of the ground state X^1\Sigma^+_g of Sr_2 is performed by high resolution spectroscopy of asymptotic vibrational levels and the use of available photoassociation data. Ground state levels as high as v"=60 (outer turning point at 23 \AA and 0.1 cm^-1 below the asymptote) could be observed by Fourier-transform spectroscopy of fluorescence progressions induced by single frequency laser excitation of the v'=4, J'=9 rovibrational level of the state 2^1\Sigma^+_u. A precise value of the scattering length for the isotopologue ^88Sr_2 is derived and transferred to all other isotopic combinations by mass scaling with the given potential. The derived potential together with already published information about the state 2^1\Sigma^+_u directs to promising optical paths for producing cold molecules in the electronic ground state from an ultracold ensemble of Sr atoms.