Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

Angle-resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy At Ultra-low Temperatures
Published on: October 9, 2012
Creation of ultracold Sr(2) molecules in the electronic ground state
Simon Stellmer1, Benjamin Pasquiou, Rudolf Grimm
1Institut für Quantenoptik und Quanteninformation, Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
Abstract:
We report on the creation of ultracold (84)Sr(2) molecules in the electronic ground state. The molecules are formed from atom pairs on sites of an optical lattice using stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP). We achieve a transfer efficiency of 30% and obtain 4×10(4) molecules with full control over the external and internal quantum state. STIRAP is performed near the narrow (1)S(0)-(3)P(1) intercombination transition, using a vibrational level of the 1(0(u)(+)) potential as an intermediate state. In preparation of our molecule association scheme, we have determined the binding energies of the last vibrational levels of the 1(0(u)(+)), 1(1(u)) excited-state and the X (1)Σ(g)(+) ground-state potentials. Our work overcomes the previous limitation of STIRAP schemes to systems with magnetic Feshbach resonances, thereby establishing a route that is applicable to many systems beyond alkali-metal dimers.
Related Concept Videos
Sublimation
Molecular Orbital Theory II
UV–Vis Spectroscopy: Molecular Electronic Transitions
Deactivation Processes: Jablonski Diagram
SN2 Reaction: Transition State
When the nucleophile approaches the electrophilic carbon with its lone pairs, the halide acts as a leaving group and moves away with the electron-pair bonded to the carbon. Dotted partial bonds represent the bonds being formed or broken...
Atomic Nuclei: Nuclear Spin State Population Distribution

