Hyperfine structure of the $\mathbf{A^{1}Π}$ state of AlCl and its relevance to laser cooling and trapping

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Daniel, J. R., Shaw, J. C., Wang, C., Liu, L. -R., Kendrick, B. K., Hemmerling, B., McCarron, D. J.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2023
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author Daniel, J. R.
Shaw, J. C.
Wang, C.
Liu, L. -R.
Kendrick, B. K.
Hemmerling, B.
McCarron, D. J.
author_facet Daniel, J. R.
Shaw, J. C.
Wang, C.
Liu, L. -R.
Kendrick, B. K.
Hemmerling, B.
McCarron, D. J.
contents The majority of molecules proposed for laser cooling and trapping experiments have $Σ$-type ground states. Specifically, $^2Σ$ states have cycling transitions analogous to D1-lines in alkali-metal atoms while $^1Σ$ states offer both strong and weak cycling transitions analogous to those in alkaline-earth atoms. Despite this proposed variety, to date, only molecules with $^2Σ$-type ground states have successfully been confined and cooled in magneto-optical traps. While none of the proposed $^1Σ$-type molecules have been successfully laser cooled and trapped, they are expected to have various advantages in terms of exhibiting a lower chemical reactivity and an internal structure that benefits the cooling schemes. Here, we present the prospects and strategies for optical cycling in AlCl -- a $^1Σ$ molecule -- and report on the characterization of the $A^{1}Π$ state hyperfine structure. Based on these results, we carry out detailed simulations on the expected capture velocity of a magneto-optical trap for AlCl. Finally, using {\it ab initio} calculations, we identify the photodissociation via a $3^1Π$ state and photoionization process via the $3^1Σ^+$ state as possible loss mechanisms for a magneto-optical trap of AlCl.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2309_16835
institution arXiv
publishDate 2023
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Hyperfine structure of the $\mathbf{A^{1}Π}$ state of AlCl and its relevance to laser cooling and trapping
Daniel, J. R.
Shaw, J. C.
Wang, C.
Liu, L. -R.
Kendrick, B. K.
Hemmerling, B.
McCarron, D. J.
Atomic Physics
The majority of molecules proposed for laser cooling and trapping experiments have $Σ$-type ground states. Specifically, $^2Σ$ states have cycling transitions analogous to D1-lines in alkali-metal atoms while $^1Σ$ states offer both strong and weak cycling transitions analogous to those in alkaline-earth atoms. Despite this proposed variety, to date, only molecules with $^2Σ$-type ground states have successfully been confined and cooled in magneto-optical traps. While none of the proposed $^1Σ$-type molecules have been successfully laser cooled and trapped, they are expected to have various advantages in terms of exhibiting a lower chemical reactivity and an internal structure that benefits the cooling schemes. Here, we present the prospects and strategies for optical cycling in AlCl -- a $^1Σ$ molecule -- and report on the characterization of the $A^{1}Π$ state hyperfine structure. Based on these results, we carry out detailed simulations on the expected capture velocity of a magneto-optical trap for AlCl. Finally, using {\it ab initio} calculations, we identify the photodissociation via a $3^1Π$ state and photoionization process via the $3^1Σ^+$ state as possible loss mechanisms for a magneto-optical trap of AlCl.
title Hyperfine structure of the $\mathbf{A^{1}Π}$ state of AlCl and its relevance to laser cooling and trapping
topic Atomic Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2309.16835