Two main approaches :
Using an ultrashort pulse to photoassociate molecules from cold atoms. Work performed in collaboration with I. Walmsley (Oxford).
Using cw laser to photoassociate molecules then using shaped broadband pulse to vibrationnally cool molecules : Work performed in collaboration with D. Comparat-P. Pillet (LAC-Orsay).
References :
D. Sofikitis, S. Weber, A. Fioretti, R. Horchani, M. Allegrini, B. Chatel, D. Comparat and P. Pillet, "Molecular vibrational cooling by optical pumping with shaped femtosecond pulses" New Journal of Physics 11, 055037 (2009).
D. J. McCabe, D. G. England, H. E. L. Martay, M. E. Friedman, J. Petrovic, E. Dimova, B. Chatel and I. A. Walmsley, "Pump-probe study of the formation of rubidium molecules by ultrafast photoassociation of ultracold atoms" Physical Review A 80, 033404 (2009).
