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Magneto-Optical Trapping of a Metal Hydride Molecule
Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 233403 – Published 10 June, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/xy6y-kyhc
Abstract
We demonstrate a three-dimensional magneto-optical trap (MOT) of a metal hydride molecule, CaH. We are able to scatter photons with vibrational loss covered up to vibrational quantum number . This allows us to laser slow the molecular beam near zero velocity with a “white-light” technique and subsequently load it into a radio-frequency MOT. The MOT contains 230(40) molecules, limited by beam source characteristics and predissociative loss of CaH. The temperature of the MOT is below one millikelvin. The predissociative loss mechanism could, in turn, facilitate controlled dissociation of the molecule, offering a possible route to optical trapping of hydrogen atoms for precision spectroscopy.
Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)
synopsis
Trapping a Precursor to Ultracold Hydrogen
Researchers have used laser cooling and trapping to isolate calcium monohydride, a key step toward producing ultracold atomic hydrogen.
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