Photoassociative molecular spectroscopy for atomic radiative lifetimes

Abstract

When the atoms of a dimer remain most of the time very far apart, in so-called long-range molecular states, their mutual interaction is ruled by plain atomic properties. The high-resolution spectroscopic study of some molecular excited states populated by photoassociation of cold atoms (photoassociative spectroscopy) gives a good illustration of this property. It provides accurate determinations of atomic radiative lifetimes, which are known to be sensitive tests for atomic calculations. A number of such analyses has been performed up to now, for all stable alkali atoms and for some other atomic species (Ca, Sr, Yb). A systematic review of these determinations is attempted here, with special attention paid to accuracy issues.

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• Laser-trapping of Ra-225 and Ra-226 with repumping by room temperature blackbody radiation
• Sub-Doppler laser cooling and magnetic trapping of erbium
• Theoretical overview of atomic parity violation. Recent developments and challenges

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