Spectroscopy and applications of the 3 3Σ+ electronic state of 39K85Rb

Abstract

We report new results on the spectroscopy of the 3 3Σ + electronic state of 39K85Rb. The observations are based on resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization of ultracold KRb molecules starting in vibrational levels v′′ = 18-23 of the a 3Σ+ state and ionized via the intermediate 3 3Σ+ state. The a-state ultracold molecules are formed by photoassociation of ultracold 39K and 85Rb atoms to the 3(0+) state of KRb followed by spontaneous emission. We discuss the potential applications of this state to future experiments, as a pathway for populating the lowest vibrational levels of the a state as well as the X state. © 2013 AIP Publishing LLC.