BaF molecules in neon ice: trapping, spectroscopy and optical control of electron spins

Abstract

We have trapped BaF molecules in neon ice, and used laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy to map out optical transitions in the trapped molecules. Our measurements show that the neon lattice does not significantly perturb certain optical transitions in the trapped molecules. We used one of these transitions to polarize the electron spins, detect spin flips and measure hyperfine transitions in the trapped molecules, entirely using lasers. This demonstration with heavy polar molecules opens up new opportunities for precision measurements of beyond-standard-model physics.

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• Structures, Branching Ratios and Laser Cooling Scheme for 138BaF Molecule
• Inner-shell excitation in the YbF molecule and its impact on laser cooling
• A New Concept for Searching for Time-Reversal Symmetry Violation Using Pa-229 Ions Trapped in Optical Crystals
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Cited by in corpus (6)

• Laser cooling of barium monofluoride molecules using synthesized optical spectra
• Isotopologue-selective laser cooling of molecules
• Low-noise environment for probing fundamental symmetries
• Single-photon loading of polar molecules into an optical trap
• Neutral Barium in Solid Neon: Optical Spectroscopy and First Excited State Lifetime
• Highly spin-polarized molecules via collisional microwave pumping