Production of Ultracold Molecules with Chirped Nanosecond Pulses: Evidence for Coherent Effects

TL;DR

This study demonstrates the use of nanosecond chirped laser pulses to produce ultracold molecules, revealing that coherent stimulated emission significantly influences molecular formation, especially with different chirp directions.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence for coherent effects in ultracold molecule production using chirped pulses, supported by quantum simulations.

Findings

Coherent stimulated emission affects molecule formation.

Positive and negative chirps yield different efficiencies.

Quantum simulations support experimental observations.

Abstract

We use frequency-chirped light on the nanosecond time scale to produce ultracold $^{87}$Rb$_{2}$ molecules in the lowest triplet state via the process of photoassociation. Comparing to quantum simulations of the molecular formation, we conclude that coherent stimulated emission plays an important role and is primarily responsible for the significant difference observed between positive and negative chirps.