Demonstrating coherent control in ${^{85}\text{R}\text{b}}_{2}$ using ultrafast laser pulses: A theoretical outline of two experiments

Demonstrating coherent control in ${{}^{85}R b}_{2}$ using ultrafast laser pulses: A theoretical outline of two experiments

Hugo E. L. Martay, David J. McCabe, Duncan G. England, Melissa E. Friedman, Jovana Petrovic, and Ian A. Walmsley

Phys. Rev. A 80, 033403 – Published 3 September 2009

Abstract

Calculations relating to two experiments that demonstrate coherent control of preformed rubidium-85 molecules in a magneto-optical trap using ultrafast laser pulses are presented. The two experiments are a step toward the stabilization of ultracold rubidium dimers using ultrafast lasers. In the first experiment, it is shown that preassociated molecules in an incoherent mixture of states can be made to oscillate coherently using a single ultrafast pulse. A mechanism that can transfer molecular population to more deeply bound vibrational levels is used in the second. Optimal parameters of the control pulse are presented for the application of the mechanism to molecules in a magneto-optical trap. The calculations make use of an experimental determination of the initial state of molecules photoassociated by the trapping lasers in the magneto-optical trap and use shaped pulses consistent with a standard ultrafast laser system. The experiment’s purpose is to demonstrate and evaluate the use of ultrafast shaped pulses to manipulate ultracold rubidium dimers with a view to the eventual stabilization of the molecules.