고려대학교 물리학과

    Due to their complex internal structures and strong long-range interactions, diatomic molecules are promising platforms for precision measurements, quantum simulations/computations, and quantum chemistry. Most of these experiments require ultracold temperatures and a general method of cooling is essential to fully exploit the diversity of molecular structures. A crucial step to achieve low temperatures is trapping, which enables further cooling methods to be applied to molecules.

    One promising option is a magneto-optical trap (MOT), a workhorse tool for cooling and confining atoms. However, the additional internal structures present in molecules have precluded producing a molecular MOT, due to the lack of closed cycling transitions. In this talk, I will start with the introduction of laser cooling/MOT and describe the challenges and breakthroughs in MOTs for diatomic molecules. The talk will also summarize recent advances in ultracold molecular research and briefly cover my research plans at Korea university.

(The talk will be given in Korean.)