Optical trapping of SrOH molecules for dark matter and <i>T</i> -violation searches
Hiromitsu Sawaoka, Abdullah Nasir, Annika Lunstad, Mingda Li, Jack Mango, Zack D. Lasner, John M. Doyle
Abstract
We report an optical dipole trap of strontium monohydroxide (SrOH) with 1400(300) trapped molecules. Through optical pumping, we access vibrational states that are proposed for improved probes of the electron’s electric dipole moment (eEDM) and ultralight dark matter (UDM). For each of these states, the lifetime of trapped molecules is measured and found to be consistent with spontaneous radiative decay and blackbody excitation limits, making this platform viable for these eEDM and UDM searches.
Topics & Concepts
Black-body radiationDipoleTrappingPhysicsExcitationElectric dipole momentAtomic physicsMoment (physics)Radiative transferMoleculeTransition dipole momentSpontaneous emissionDark matterOptical pumpingTrap (plumbing)Molecular physicsChemistryPhotonStimulated emissionDark Matter and Cosmic PhenomenaAtomic and Subatomic Physics ResearchChemical and Physical Properties of Materials