High Precision Optical Spectroscopy and Quantum State Selected Photodissociation of Ultracold 88Sr2 Molecules in an Optical Lattice, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 2018 Springer Theses Series

This thesis unites the fields of optical atomic clocks and ultracold molecular science, laying the foundation for optical molecular measurements of unprecedented precision. Building upon optical manipulation techniques developed by the atomic clock community, this work delves into attaining surgical control of molecular quantum states. The thesis develops two experimental observables that one can measure with optical-lattice-trapped ultracold molecules: extremely narrow optical spectra, and angular distributions of photofragments that are ejected when the diatomic molecules are dissociated by laser light pulses. The former allows molecular spectroscopy approaching the level of atomic clocks, leading into molecular metrology and tests of fundamental physics. The latter opens the field of ultracold chemistry through observation of quantum effects such as matter-wave interference of photofragments and tunneling through reaction barriers. The thesis also describes a discovery of a new method of thermometry that can be used near absolute zero temperatures for particles lacking cycling transitions, solving a long-standing experimental problem in atomic and molecular physics.

Chapter1. Introduction.- Chapter2. Structure of 88Sr and 88Sr2.- Chapter3. Measurements of binding energies.- Chapter4. Measurements of Zeeman shifts.- Chapter5. Magnetic control of transition strengths.- Chapter6. Subradient spectroscopy.- Chapter7. Carrier thermometry in optical lattices.- Chapter8. Photodissociation and ultracold chemistry.

Dr. Mickey McDonald received a Ph.D. from Columbia University in 2016, and is now at the University of Chicago.

Nominated as an outstanding Ph.D. thesis by Columbia University Presents insights into the development of molecular optical measurements of unprecedented precision Offers a solution to the long-standing experimental problem of viable thermometry near absolute zero temperatures Brings together the fields of optical atomic clocks and ultracold molecular science Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras