AlF, a Hot Candidate for New Physics with Ultracold Molecules

A dense and ultracold gas of polar molecules facilitates many new applications in fundamental science and technology. Precisely controlled molecules can be used to test fundamental models in physics, and to study new exotic phases of matter and chemistry at the quantum level. Arranged in a regular array, the molecules can serve as a model system for complex quantum systems that are too difficult to simulate on a computer, and as novel elements of a quantum information processor. 

The researchers published highly accurate measurements of the detailed energy level structure of AlF in the electronic states relevant for laser cooling. Such accurate measurements can serve as an excellent benchmark for advanced quantum chemistry calculations and provide essential information for future cooling and trapping experiments.