Magneto-optical trapping of diatomic molecules

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the first magneto-optical trapping of a diatomic molecule, yttrium (II) oxide (YO), achieving ultracold temperatures and opening new avenues for quantum physics and chemistry research.

Contribution

It introduces a magneto-optical trapping technique for diatomic molecules, specifically YO, which was not previously achieved, enabling ultracold molecular studies.

Findings

Transverse Doppler cooling of YO to 5 mK.

Magneto-optical trapping of YO at 2 mK.

First demonstration of MO trapping for a diatomic molecule.

Abstract

The development of the magneto-optical trap revolutionized the fields of atomic and quantum physics by providing a simple method for the rapid production of ultracold, trapped atoms. A similar technique for producing a diverse set of dense, ultracold diatomic molecular species will likewise transform the study of strongly interacting quantum systems, precision measurement, and physical chemistry. We demonstrate one- and two-dimensional transverse laser cooling and magneto-optical trapping of the polar molecule yttrium (II) oxide (YO). Using a quasicycling optical transition we observe transverse Doppler cooling of a YO molecular beam to a temperature of 5 mK, limited by interaction time. With the addition of an oscillating magnetic quadrupole field we demonstrate a transverse magneto-optical trap and achieve temperatures of 2 mK.