A Zeeman slower for diatomic molecules

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Zeeman slowing technique for laser-coolable diatomic molecules, achieving efficient velocity compression and enhanced flux, crucial for ultracold molecular research.

Contribution

It presents the first experimentally demonstrated continuous Zeeman slowing method for molecules with level structures similar to atoms.

Findings

Achieves flux enhancement below 35 m/s by a factor of 20

Demonstrates performance comparable to atomic Zeeman slowing

First continuous dissipative slowing in molecule-like structures

Abstract

We present a novel slowing scheme for beams of laser-coolable diatomic molecules reminiscent of Zeeman slowing of atomic beams. The scheme results in efficient compression of the 1-dimensional velocity distribution to velocities trappable by magnetic or magneto-optical traps. 3D Monte Carlo simulations for the prototype molecule $^{88}\mathrm{Sr}^{19}\mathrm{F}$ and experiments in an atomic testbed demonstrate a performance comparable to traditional atomic Zeeman slowing and an enhancement of flux below v=35 m/s by a factor of $\approx 20$ compared to white-light slowing. This is the first experimentally shown continuous and dissipative slowing technique in molecule-like level structures, promising to provide the missing link for the preparation of large ultracold molecular ensembles.