High-resolution Internal State Control of Ultracold $^{23}$Na$^{87}$Rb Molecules

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates complete control over the internal quantum states of ultracold $^{23}$Na$^{87}$Rb molecules, enabling advanced studies of molecular interactions and reactions at ultracold temperatures.

Contribution

It introduces a high-efficiency, high-resolution method for preparing and manipulating specific internal states of ultracold molecules, including vibrational, rotational, and hyperfine levels.

Findings

Successfully prepared molecules in specific hyperfine states

Achieved rotational and hyperfine control via microwave spectroscopy

Enabled potential studies of state-dependent molecular collisions

Abstract

We report the full control over the internal states of ultracold $^{23}$Na$^{87}$Rb molecules, including vibrational, rotational and hyperfine degrees of freedom. Starting from a sample of weakly bound Feshbach molecules, we realize the creation of molecules in single hyperfine levels of both the rovibrational ground and excited states with a high-efficiency and high-resolution stimulated Raman adiabatic passage. Starting from the rovibrational and hyperfine ground state, we demonstrate rotational and hyperfine control with one- and two-photon microwave spectroscopy. This achievement of fully controlling the molecular internal states paves the way to study state dependent molecular collisions and state controlled chemical reactions.