Direct laser cooling of yttrium monoxide

ORAL

Abstract

Using a laser system consisting of only three lasers, one for the main cooling transition and two for vibrational repumping, we create a quasi-closed optical cycling transition for the molecule yttrium monoxide (YO) capable of scattering more than one thousand photons. Using this laser system in conjunction with a cryogenic buffer-gas-cooled source we characterize the photon scattering rate by observation of deflection of the YO molecular beam. Additionally, we observe transverse Doppler laser cooling of the YO molecular beam.

*We acknowledge support from the AFOSR and the NSF.

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Authors

  • Matthew Hummon

    • JILA, University of Colorado, Boulder

  • Mark Yeo

    • JILA, University of Colorado, Boulder

  • Benjamin Stuhl

    • JILA, University of Colorado, Boulder

  • Yong Xia

    • East China Normal University

  • Jun Ye

    • JILA, University of Colorado, Boulder