Production of RbCs Molecules in the Rovibronic Ground State via Short-Range Photoassociation to the 2 1 Π1 , 2 3 Π1 , and 3 3 Σ1+ States.

Abstract

We report the production of ultracold 85 Rb133 Cs molecules in their rovibronic ground state X 1 Σ+ (v=0; J=0), by short-range photoassociation (PA) to the 2 1 Π1 , 2 3 Π1 , and 3 3 Σ1+ states. In the PA frequency range from 11650 to 12150 cm-1 (corresponding to energy levels 15500-16000 cm-1 above the bottom of the X potential), we have observed 40 sets of new PA lines. For selected PA states, we investigate vibrational branching, rotational branching, and saturation behavior. Among these 40 new PA lines, the 3 3 Σ1+ (v=3) state has the highest molecule production rate of 2 x 103 molecules s-1 into the rovibronic ground state.