Towards a 3-D Magneto-Optical Trap for Molecules

As the magneto-optical trap revolutionized atomic physics, we anticipate the molecular counterpart to open doors to unexplored molecular physics, including ultra-cold chemistry. While molecules possess more complex structure than atoms, quasi-cycling cooling transitions are still attainable in a variety of species, including the polar molecule YO. In order to remix dark states, we RF modulate the polarization of the light in our trap. In order to maintain a restoring force, we modulate the orientation of our magnetic fields in phase with the light using LC resonant in-vacuum magnetic coils. We demonstrate magneto-optical trapping in two dimensions for YO, and present progress towards a three dimensional implementation of a MOT loaded from a two-stage buffer gas cell source.