A dynamical process of optically trapped singlet ground state 85Rb133Cs molecules produced via short-range photoassociation

Abstract

We investigate the dynamical process of optically trapped X¹Σ⁺ (v′′ = 0) state ⁸⁵Rb¹³³Cs molecules distributed in J′′ = 1 and J′′ = 3 rotational states. The considered molecules, formed from short-range photoassociation of mixed cold atoms, are subsequently confined in a crossed optical dipole trap. Based on a phenomenological rate equation, we provide a detailed study of the dynamics of ⁸⁵Rb¹³³Cs molecules during the loading and holding processes. The inelastic collisions of ⁸⁵Rb¹³³Cs molecules in the X¹Σ⁺ (v′′ = 0, J′′ = 1 and J′′ = 3) states with ultracold ⁸⁵Rb (or ¹³³Cs) atoms are measured to be 1.0 (2) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹ (1.2 (3) × 10⁻¹⁰ cm³ s⁻¹). Our work provides a simple and generic procedure for studying the dynamical process of trapped cold molecules in the singlet ground states.