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Physics, Atomic Physics, physics.atom-ph, Physics, Chemical Physics, physics.chem-ph
Abstract:
We report on hyperfine-resolved laser spectroscopy of the A2Π ←X2Σ+ transition of MgF, relevant for laser cooling. We recorded 25
rotational transitions with an absolute accuracy of better than 20 MHz,
assigned 56 hyperfine lines and determined precise rotational, fine and
hyperfine structure parameters for the A2Π state. The radiative lifetime
of the A2Π state was determined to be 7.2(3) ns, in good agreement with
\textit{ab initio} calculations. The transition isotope shift between bosonic
isotopologues of the molecule is recorded and compared to predicted values
within the Born-Oppenheimer approximation. We measured the Stark effect of
selected rotational lines of the A2Π ←X2Σ+ transition
by applying electric fields of up to 10.6 kV cm-1 and determined the
permanent electric dipole moments of 24MgF in its ground X2Σ+ and
first excited A2Π states to be μX=2.88(20) D and μA=3.20(22) D,
respectively. Based on these measurements, we caution for potential losses from
the optical cycling transition, due to electric field induced parity mixing in
the excited state. In order to scatter 104 photons, the electric field must
be controlled to below 1 V cm-1.
