Dipolar effects and collisions in an ultracold gas of liCs molecules

Abstract

We review our recent experiments on the formation and optical trapping of LiCs molecules, which are photoassociated from a mixed ultracold gas of Li and Cs atoms. The electric dipole moment of the atoms in the lowest vibrational states is measured, yielding the predicted value of 5.5 Debye, and vibrational redistribution due to spontaneous emission and blackbody radiation is observed. We also show preliminary results on inelastic collision between optically trapped LiCs molecules and Cs atoms. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.