title: 2D Magneto-optical trapping of diatomic molecules.
abstract: We demonstrate one- and two-dimensional transverse laser cooling and magneto-optical trapping of the polar molecule yttrium (II) oxide (YO). In a 1D magneto-optical trap (MOT), we characterize the magneto-optical trapping force and decrease the transverse temperature by an order of magnitude, from 25 to 2 mK, limited by interaction time. In a 2D MOT, we enhance the intensity of the YO beam and reduce the transverse temperature in both transverse directions. The approach demonstrated here can be applied to many molecular species and can also be extended to 3D.
authors.affiliation: JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440, USA and Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0390, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Hummon
authors.affiliation: JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440, USA and Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0390, USA.
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yeo
authors.affiliation: JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440, USA and Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0390, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Stuhl
authors.affiliation: JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440, USA and Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0390, USA.
authors.forename: Alejandra L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Collopy
authors.affiliation: JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440, USA and Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0390, USA.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: JILA, National Institute of Standards and Technology and University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440, USA and Department of Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0390, USA.
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ye