High-Resolution Laser Spectroscopy of a Functionalized Aromatic Molecule

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution laser spectroscopy to analyze calcium phenoxide, revealing detailed molecular structure and implications for laser cooling, demonstrating that functionalized aromatic molecules can retain properties suitable for laser control.

Contribution

The paper provides the first high-resolution spectroscopic analysis of calcium phenoxide, showing that functionalization preserves properties necessary for laser cooling applications.

Findings

Accurate modeling of rotational transitions using an effective Hamiltonian.

Comparison of calcium monophenoxide structure with other Ca-containing radicals.

Discussion on the potential for laser cooling of functionalized aromatic molecules.

Abstract

We present a high-resolution laser spectroscopic study of the $\tilde{A}\,^2B_2- \tilde{X}\,^2A_1$ and $\tilde{B}\,^2B_1- \tilde{X}\,^2A_1$ transitions of calcium (I) phenoxide, CaOPh (CaOC$_6$H$_5$). The rotationally resolved band systems are analyzed using an effective Hamiltonian model and are accurately modeled as independent perpendicular ($b$- or $c$-type) transitions. The structure of calcium monophenoxide is compared to previously observed Ca-containing radicals and implications for direct laser cooling are discussed. This work demonstrates that functionalization of aromatic molecules with optical cycling centers can preserve many of the properties needed for laser-based control.