Cold collision and high-resolution spectroscopy of buffer gas cooled BaF Molecule

Abstract: We reported a detailed experimental study of the cold collision of Barium monofluoride (BaF) with buffer gas and the high-resolution spectroscopy relevant with direct laser cooling. BaF molecules are efficiently produced with laser ablation and buffer-gas cooled in a cryogenic apparatus. The laser cooling relevant transition $|X^2\Sigma, v=0, N=1\rangle$ to $|A^2\Pi, v'=0, J'=1/2\rangle$ is identified. The collision cross section with buffer gas is measured to be $1.4(7)\times10^{-14} cm^{-2}$, which is very suitable for buffer gas cooling. Both rotational and vibrational temperatures are effectively cooled, and large mount of molecules are quenched into the desired states. Our study provides an important benchmark for further laser cooling of BaF molecule.