Abstract
Here we report on spectroscopic measurements of the aluminum monofluoride molecule (AlF) that are relevant to laser cooling and trapping experiments. We measure the detailed energy level structure of AlF in the X$^1\Sigma^+$ electronic ground state, in the A$^1\Pi$ state, and in the metastable a$^3\Pi$ state. We determine the rotational, vibrational and electronic branching ratios from the A$^1\Pi$ state. We also study how the rotational levels split and shift in external electric and magnetic fields. We find that AlF is an excellent candidate for laser cooling on any Q-line of the A$^1\Pi$ - X$^1\Sigma^+$ transition and for trapping at high densities.
Highlights
AND MOTIVATIONOver the last two decades, there has been great progress in cooling and trapping neutral molecules in the gas phase [1,2]
We find that aluminum monofluoride molecule (AlF) is an excellent candidate for laser cooling on any Q line of the A 1 - X 1 + transition and for trapping at high densities
To record the laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) spectra with negligible Doppler broadening, we decrease the transverse velocity spread in the molecular beam. For this we reduce the speed of the molecular beam to about 600 m/s by using Ar as a carrier gas, we reduce the skimmer opening to 2 mm diameter, and we mount a 3-mm-wide vertical slit in the molecular beam directly in front of the LIF detection zone
Summary
Over the last two decades, there has been great progress in cooling and trapping neutral molecules in the gas phase [1,2]. The study concludes that the A 1 , v = 0 − X 1 +, v = 0 band of AlF around 227.5 nm has a calculated Franck-Condon factor of 0.999 92 and is an excellent candidate for cooling with just a single laser. The spectroscopic data on AlF has until now been restricted to absorption and emission measurements in samples at high ( 900 K) temperatures with at best Doppler-limited resolution These data a re suitable to get accurate information on the electronic potential curves and on the rovibrational energy-level structure from which Franck-Condon factors can be calculated precisely. Throughout the paper experimental data are shown as solid black curves or black open circles„ simulated spectra are shown as solid blue curves, and a fit to the experimental data as a solid red curve
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