A simple, versatile laser system for the creation of ultracold ground state molecules

Gregory, P.D.; Molony, P.K.; Köppinger, M.P.; Kumar, A.; Ji, Z.; Lu, B.; Marchant, A.L.; Cornish, S.L.

Abstract

Paper Part of Focus on New Frontiers of Cold Molecules Research A narrow-linewidth, dual-wavelength laser system is vital for the creation of ultracold ground state molecules via stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP) from a weakly bound Feshbach state. Here we describe how a relatively simple apparatus consisting of a single fixed-length optical cavity can be used to narrow the linewidth of the two different wavelength lasers required for STIRAP simultaneously. The frequency of each of these lasers is referenced to the cavity and is continuously tunable away from the cavity modes through the use of non-resonant electro-optic modulators. Self-heterodyne measurements suggest the laser linewidths are reduced to several 100 Hz. In the context of 87Rb133Cs molecules produced via magnetoassociation on a Feshbach resonance, we demonstrate the performance of the laser system through one- and two-photon molecular spectroscopy. Finally, we demonstrate transfer of the molecules to the rovibrational ground state using STIRAP.

Citation

Gregory, P., Molony, P., Köppinger, M., Kumar, A., Ji, Z., Lu, B., …Cornish, S. (2015). A simple, versatile laser system for the creation of ultracold ground state molecules. New Journal of Physics, 17, Article 055006. https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/17/5/055006

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 1, 2015
• Online Publication Date: May 7, 2015
• Publication Date: May 7, 2015
• Deposit Date: Dec 1, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: May 11, 2015
• Journal: New Journal of Physics
• Publisher: IOP Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Article Number: 055006
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630/17/5/055006
• Keywords: Molecules, STIRAP, Magnetoassociation, Narrow linewidth laser, Molecular spectroscopy, RbCs.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1449546