Laser cooling of internal degrees of freedom of molecules

Abstract

Optical pumping techniques using laser fields combined with photo-association of ultracold atoms leads to control of the vibrational and/or rotational population of molecules. In this study, we review the basic concepts and main steps that should be followed, including the excitation schemes and detection techniques used to achieve ro-vibrational cooling of Cs 2 molecules. We also discuss the extension of this technique to other molecules. In addition, we present a theoretical model used to support the experiment. These simulations can be widely used for the preparation of various experiments because they allow the optimization of several important experimental parameters.