Collisions of Polar Molecules with Ultracold Alkali Metal Atoms (IP3 of EuroQUAM CoPoMol)

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Using laser cooling techniques, it is possible to cool atoms to extremely low temperatures. However, this technique cannot be applied directly to cool molecules because of the complex internal structure that molecules possess. Nevertheless, there is currently a great desire to cool molecules, particularly polar molecules which bring long-range interactions into the cold gas. One very promising approach to producing ultracold molecules is to trap molecules together with ultracold atoms. The molecules then collide with the atoms which act like a refrigerant - a process known as sympathetic cooling.To achieve sympathetic cooling there are many obstacles to overcome. The best way to proceed is to work together with other researchers to tackle the numerous challenges. Not least of these is the problem of working out how many atom-molecule and molecule-molecule collisions there will be per unit time, and understanding what happens in these collisions. This difficult problem requires a combined experimental and theoretical effort. We will also need to work out how atoms and molecules can be stored in the same trap for sufficiently long periods of time, how to prevent them from leaving the trap and how to measure their temperatures. This research brings together experts from around Europe who will collaborate to solve these experimental and theoretical problems and thereby form ultracold polar molecules.