Quantum Optics of Ultracold Molecular Fields

Nadia Bouloufa-Maafa, Andrea Orbán, Olivier Dulieu

Pierre Meystre

B. H. McGuyer, Mickey McDonald, G. Z. Iwata +4 more

The study of ultracold molecules tightly trapped in an optical lattice can expand the frontier of precision measurement and spectroscopy, and provide a deeper insight into molecular and fundamental physics. Here we create, probe, and image microkelvin 88 Sr 2 molecules in a lattice, and demonstrate precise measurements of molecular parameters as well as coherent control of molecular quantum states using optical fields. We discuss the sensitivity of the system to dimensional effects, a new bound-to-continuum spectroscopy technique for highly accurate binding energy measurements, and prospects for new physics with this rich experimental system.

Michał Tomza

Andrea Orbán, Olivier Dulieu, Nadia Bouloufa-Maafa

Ways to suppress inelastic or reactive processes between ultracold particles using electromagnetic fields are investigated.

C. B. Osborn

Abstract : Ultracold molecules provide an exciting testing ground for studies of fundamental interactions, new states of matter, and metrology. Diatomic molecules based on two-electron atoms are especially suitable for precise tests of interatomic interactions, molecular quantum electrodynamics, electron-proton mass ratio variations, and other measurements in molecular and fundamental physics. This thesis describes the construction of a new strontium apparatus, from initial vacuum system setup through characterization of ultracold atom samples, followed by a new method of efficient, all-optical production of ultracold 88Sr2 molecules in an optical lattice, with detection via optical fragmentation. High-Q spectra of the weakly bound molecules in magnetic fields are studied, yielding precise binding energies, anomalously large molecular g factors resulting from large nonadiabatic effects, and strongly enhanced magnetic susceptibility. The thesis then concludes with an outlook on future experiments in our lab, including studies of forbidden molecular transitions, and longer term studies of fundamental physics from deeply bound Sr2.