Observation and laser spectroscopy of ytterbium monomethoxide, YbOCH3

Benjamin L. Augenbraun, Zack D. Lasner, Alexander Frenett, Hiromitsu Sawaoka, Anh T. Le, John M. Doyle, Timothy C. Steimle

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

We describe a laser spectroscopic study of ytterbium monomethoxide, YbOCH3, a species of interest to searches for time-reversal symmetry violation using laser-cooled molecules. We report measurements of vibrational structure in the X and A states, vibrational branching ratios for several components of the A state, and radiative lifetimes of low-lying electronic states. Ab initio calculations are used to aid the assignment of vibronic emission bands and provide insight into the electronic and vibrational structure. Our results demonstrate that rapid optical cycling is feasible for YbOCH3, opening a path to orders-of-magnitude increased sensitivity in future measurements of P- and/or T-violating physics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number022814
JournalPhysical Review A
Volume103
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2021

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Observation and laser spectroscopy of ytterbium monomethoxide, YbOCH3'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this