Resonant Coupling in the Heteronuclear Alkali Dimers for Direct Photoassociative Formation of X(0,0) Ultracold Molecules

A dynamical process of optically trapped singlet ground state 85Rb133Cs molecules produced via short-range photoassociation

We investigate the dynamical process of optically trapped X¹Σ⁺ (v'' = 0) state ⁸⁵Rb¹³³Cs molecules distributed in J'' = 1 and J'' = 3 rotational states. The considered molecules, formed from short-range photoassociation of mixed cold atoms, are subsequently confined in a crossed optical dipole trap. Based on a phenomenological rate equation, we provide a detailed study of the dynamics of ⁸⁵Rb¹³³Cs molecules during the loading and holding processes. The inelastic collisions of ⁸⁵Rb¹³³Cs molecules in the X¹Σ⁺ (v'' = 0, J'' = 1 and J'' = 3) states with ultracold ⁸⁵Rb (or ¹³³Cs) atoms are measured to be 1.0 (2) × 10^-10 cm³ s^-1 (1.2 (3) × 10^-10 cm³ s^-1). Our work provides a simple and generic procedure for studying the dynamical process of trapped cold molecules in the singlet ground states.

Long-range interactions between polar bialkali ground-state molecules in arbitrary vibrational levels

We have calculated the isotropic C6 coefficients characterizing the long-range van der Waals interaction between two identical heteronuclear alkali-metal diatomic molecules in the same arbitrary vibrational level of their ground electronic state X(1)Σ(+). We consider the ten species made up of (7)Li, (23)Na, (39)K, (87)Rb, and (133)Cs. Following our previous work [Lepers et al., Phys. Rev. A 88, 032709 (2013)], we use the sum-over-state formula inherent to the second-order perturbation theory, composed of the contributions from the transitions within the ground state levels, from the transition between ground-state and excited state levels, and from a crossed term. These calculations involve a combination of experimental and quantum-chemical data for potential energy curves and transition dipole moments. We also investigate the case where the two molecules are in different vibrational levels and we show that the Moelwyn-Hughes approximation is valid provided that it is applied for each of the three contributions to the sum-over-state formula. Our results are particularly relevant in the context of inelastic and reactive collisions between ultracold bialkali molecules in deeply bound or in Feshbach levels.

Fourier-transform spectroscopy and potential construction of the (2)(1)Π state in KCs

The paper presents an empirical pointwise potential energy curve (PEC) of the (2)(1)Π state of the KCs molecule constructed by applying the Inverted Perturbation Approach routine. The experimental term values in the energy range E(v', J') ∈ [15 407; 16 579] cm(-1) involved in the fit were based on Fourier-Transform spectroscopy data obtained with 0.01 cm(-1) accuracy from the laser-induced (2)(1)Π → X(1)Σ(+) fluorescence spectra. Buffer gas Ar was used to facilitate the appearance of rotation relaxation lines in the spectra, thus enlarging the (2)(1)Π data set and allowing determination of the Λ-splitting constants. The data set included vibrational v' ∈ [0, 28] and rotational J' ∈ [7, 274] quantum numbers covering about 67% of the potential well. The present PEC reproduces the overall set of data included in the fit with a standard deviation of 0.5 cm(-1). The obtained value of the Λ-doubling constant q = + 1.8 × 10(-6) cm(-1) for J' > 50 and v' ∈ [0, 6] is in an excellent agreement with q = + 1.84 × 10(-6) cm(-1) reported in Kim, Lee, and Stolyarov [J. Mol. Spectrosc. 256, 57-67 (2009)].

Spectroscopy of the double minimum 3 (3)ΠΩ electronic state of 39K85Rb

We report the observation and analysis of the 3 (3)ΠΩ double-minimum electronic excited state of (39)K(85)Rb. The spin-orbit components (0(+), 0(-), 1, and 2) of this state are investigated based on potentials developed from the available ab initio potential curves. We have assigned the vibrational levels v' = 2-11 of the 3 (3)Π1,2 potentials and v' = 2-12 of the 3(3)Π0(+/-) potential. We compare our experimental observations of the 3 (3)ΠΩ state with predictions based on theoretical potentials. The observations are based on resonance enhanced multiphoton ionization of ultracold KRb in vibrational levels v" = 14-25 of the a (3)Σ(+) state. These a-state ultracold molecules are formed by photoassociation of ultracold (39)K and (85)Rb atoms to the 5(1) state of KRb followed by spontaneous emission to the a state.

Spectroscopic investigation of the A and 3 1Σ+ states of 39K85Rb

By using a combination of molecular beam (MB) excitation spectra and two distinct ultracold molecule excitation spectra (UM+ and UM-), we have assigned high vibrational levels of the A and 3 (1)Σ(+) states from absorption spectra of the mutually strongly perturbed A (1)Σ(+) - 3 (1)Σ(+) - 1 (1)Π - 2 (3)Σ(+) - b (3)Π states of ultracold (39)K(85)Rb molecules in the energy region between 15,116 and 16,225 cm(-1) above the minimum of the ground X (1)Σ(+) state. The ultracold molecules (UM+ and UM-) are formed by radiative decay following photoassociation (PA) to a specific level of the 3(0(+)) state (UM+) or to a specific level of the 3(0(-)) state (UM-). We observe that the A and 3 (1)Σ(+) states are observable in the UM+ spectra, but absent from the UM- spectra. This is explained by considering Hund's case (c) selection rules and transition dipole moments between the upper excited A (1)Σ(+) (2(0(+))) state and the three Ω components (0(+), 0(-), and 1) at the ground-state dissociation limit. We propose further investigations of the extended potential wells of the A and 3 (1)Σ(+) states by combining short-range MB excitation spectra in a narrow Franck-Condon (FC) window near R(e) of the X (1)Σ(+) state, and long-range UM (and PA) excitation spectra, which have much larger FC windows.

B1(1)Π state of KCs: high-resolution spectroscopy and description of low-lying energy levels

The diode laser induced B(1)(1)Π → X(1)Σ(+) fluorescence spectra of the KCs molecule were recorded by Fourier-transform spectrometer with resolution of 0.03 cm(-1). Buffer gas Ar was used to facilitate appearance of rotation relaxation lines in the spectra, thus enlarging the B(1)(1)Π dataset, allowing one to determine the Λ-splitting constants and to reveal numerous local perturbations. A dataset was systematically obtained for B(1)(1)Π vibrational levels ν(') ∈ [0; 5] nonuniformly covering rotational levels with J(') ∈ [7; 233]. For ν(') ∈ [0; 3], the less-perturbed data of f-components were included in the fit. A pointwise potential energy curve (PEC) based on the inverted perturbation approach, as well as the Dunham coefficients, was obtained and compared with ab initio calculations; in particular, the energy of the PEC's minimum T(e) = 14,044.918(6) cm(-1) was determined. Both approaches allowed us to reproduce the vast majority of data used in the fit with accuracy of 0.02 cm(-1). Tentative molecular constants for several vibrational levels of the near lying C(3)(1)Σ(+) state were estimated.

Deeply bound cold caesium molecules formed after 0(-)(g) resonant coupling

Translationally cold caesium molecules are created by photoassociation below the 6s + 6p(1/2) excited state and selectively detected by resonance enhanced two photon ionization (RE2PI). A series of excited vibrational levels belonging to the 0(-)(g) symmetry is identified. The regular progression of the vibrational spacings and of the rotational constants of the 0(-)(g) (6s + 6p(1/2)) levels is strongly altered in two energy domains. These deviations are interpreted in terms of resonant coupling with deeply bound energy levels of two upper 0(-)(g) states dissociating into the 6s + 6p(3/2) and 6s + 5d(3/2) asymptotes. A theoretical model is proposed to explain the coupling and a quantum defect analysis of the perturbed level position is performed. Moreover, the resonant coupling changes dramatically the spontaneous decay products of the photoexcited molecules, strongly enhancing the decay into deeply bound levels of the a(3)Σ(+)(u) triplet state and of the X(1)Σ(+)(g) ground state. These results may be relevant when conceiving population transferring schemes in cold molecule systems.

Spectroscopic analysis of the coupled 1(1)Π, 2(3)Σ+ (Ω = 0-, 1), and b(3)Π (Ω = 0±, 1, 2) states of the KRb molecule using both ultracold molecules and molecular beam experiments

We report the spectroscopic characterization of excited electronic states of KRb by combining spectra from molecular beam (MB) experiments with those from ultracold molecules (UM) formed by photoassociation (PA) of ultracold atoms. Spectra involving the 1(1)Π, 2(3)Σ(+), and b(3)Π states in a strongly perturbed region have been identified. This approach provides a powerful method to identify the vibrational levels of the excited electronic states perturbed globally by neighboring electronic states. This is because the two sets of spectra from the UM and the MB experiments probe the same energy region from very different initial electronic states. The UM experiments utilize high v'' levels of the a(3)Σ(+) state with large internuclear separations, while the MB experiments utilize low v'' levels of the ground X(1)Σ(+) state with near-equilibrium internuclear separations. Only the Ω = 1 levels of the 2(3)Σ(+) and b(3)Π states are observed in the MB spectra, while the Ω = 0(-), 1 levels of the 2(3)Σ(+) state and the Ω = 0(±), 1, 2 levels of the b(3)Π state are observed in the UM spectra.

Formation of ultracold Rb2 molecules in the v'' = 0 level of the a(3)Σ+(u) state via blue-detuned photoassociation to the 1(3)Π(g) state

We report on the observation of blue-detuned photoassociation in Rb(2), in which vibrational levels are energetically above the corresponding excited atomic asymptote. (85)Rb atoms in a MOT were photoassociated at short internuclear distance to levels of the 1(3)Π(g) state at a rate of approximately 5 × 10(4) molecules s(-1). We have observed most of the predicted vibrational levels for all four spin-orbit components; 0(+)(g), 0(-)(g), 1(g), and 2(g), including levels of the 0(+)(g) outer well. These molecules decay to the metastable a(3)Σ(+)(u) state, some preferentially to the v'' = 0 level, as we have observed for photoassociation to the v' = 8 level of the 1(g) component.

Ab initio and long-range investigation of the Ω((+∕-)) states of NaK dissociating adiabatically up to Na(3s 2S(1/2)) + K(3d 2D(3/2))

A theoretical investigation of the electronic structure of the NaK molecule including spin-orbit effects has been performed for the 34 Ω((+∕-)) states dissociating adiabatically into the limits up to Na(3s(2)S(1/2)) + K(3d(2)D(3/2)) from both an ab initio approach and a long-range model. Equilibrium distances, transition energies, harmonic frequencies as well as depths of wells and heights of humps are reported for all the states. Formulas for calculating the long-range energies for all the 0(+∕-), 1, 2, and 3 states under investigation are also displayed. They are expressed in terms of the C(n) (n = 6,8, ...) long-range coefficients and exchange integrals for the (2S+1)Λ((+)) parent states, available from literature. As present data could help experimentalists we make available extensive tables of energy values versus internuclear distances in our database at the web address: http://www-lasim.univ-lyon1.fr/spip.php?rubrique99.