Production of ultracold heteronuclear YbRb* molecules by photoassociation
Abstract
We have produced ultracold heteronuclear YbRb* molecules in a combined magneto-optical trap by photoassociation. The formation of electronically excited molecules close to the dissociation limit was observed by trap loss spectroscopy in mixtures of 87Rb with 174Yb and 176Yb. The molecules could be prepared in a series of vibrational levels with resolved rotational structure, allowing for an experimental determination of the long-range potential in the electronically excited state.
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