Helium Droplet Assisted Preparation of Cold RbSr Molecules

Florian Lackner, Günter Krois, Thomas Buchsteiner, Johann Valentin Pototschnig, Wolfgang Ernst*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of the RbSr molecule. The experimental approach is based on the formation of RbSr molecules on helium nanodroplets. Utilizing two-photon ionization spectroscopy, an excitation spectrum ranging from 11 600 up to 23 000  cm−1 was recorded. High level ab initio calculations of potential energy curves and transition dipole moments accompany the experiment and facilitate an assignment of transitions. We show that RbSr molecules desorb from the helium droplets upon excitation, which enables dispersed fluorescence spectroscopy of free RbSr. These spectra elucidate X2Σ+ ground and excited state properties. Emission spectra originating from states corresponding to the Rb(5s 2S)+Sr(5s5p 3P) asymptote were recorded; spin-orbit coupling was included for the simulation. The results should provide a good basis for achieving the formation of this molecule in cold collisions, thus offering intriguing prospects for ultracold molecular physics.
Original languageEnglish
Article number153001
Number of pages5
JournalPhysical Review Letters
Volume113
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Fields of Expertise

  • Advanced Materials Science

Treatment code (Nähere Zuordnung)

  • Basic - Fundamental (Grundlagenforschung)
  • Experimental

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