Probing Dipolar Interactions between Rydberg Atoms and Ultracold Polar Molecules
Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 153001 – Published 6 October, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/48rk-sxfs
Abstract
We probe resonant dipolar interactions between ultracold molecules and Rydberg atoms in an optically trapped ensemble. Through state-selective ionization detection of the KRb molecules, we observe resonant energy transfer at 2.227 GHz from Rydberg atoms to molecules under a tunable external electric field. We measure a broadening up to 3.5 MHz, for the Rb Rydberg excitation spectrum, which matches a Monte Carlo simulation that describes a Rydberg atom and neighboring molecules evolving under a dipole-dipole interacting Hamiltonian. The demonstrated interspecies dipolar interaction is a key ingredient for hybrid Rydberg-polar molecule systems, where the advantages of each system can be leveraged and combined.