Abstract
We observe long-lived tightly bound van der Waals molecules of ytterbium in a three-dimensional optical lattice with a lifetime of 8.0 s. The molecules, state-selectively produced by a photoassociation technique from a Bose-Einstein condensate or an atomic Mott insulator, are successfully detected with a photodissociation method where the molecules are photodissociated into two atoms and the atoms are captured by a magneto-optical trap or optical molasses, for the fluorescence detection. This work will open up various possibilities of research with van der Waals molecules in an optical lattice.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 043411 |
Journal | Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics |
Volume | 86 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2012 Oct 8 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics