Population redistribution in optically trapped polar molecules

TL;DR

This study models how spontaneous emission and blackbody radiation cause population redistribution among rovibrational states of optically trapped LiCs molecules, informing their use in quantum simulation and ultracold chemistry.

Contribution

It provides a detailed theoretical model of rovibrational population dynamics in ultracold LiCs molecules, incorporating ab-initio data and experimental results.

Findings

Qualitative agreement with experimental population evolution

Insights into vibrational and rotational state redistribution

Implications for quantum simulation and ultracold chemistry applications

Abstract

We investigate the rovibrational population redistribution of polar molecules in the electronic ground state induced by spontaneous emission and blackbody radiation. As a model system we use optically trapped LiCs molecules formed by photoassociation in an ultracold two-species gas. The population dynamics of vibrational and rotational states is modeled using an ab-initio electric dipole moment function and experimental potential energy curves. Comparison with the evolution of the v"=3 electronic ground state yields good qualitative agreement. The analysis provides important input to assess applications of ultracold LiCs molecules in quantum simulation and ultracold chemistry.