Abstract

Studies of quantum many-body physics and information rely on the ability to coherently control strongly-interacting quantum objects.Ultracold polar molecules in optical traps are very promising candidates due to their many long-lived internal states and strong, long-range, anisotropic, and highly tunable interactions. A powerful and successful method is to start with ultracold atoms and coherently associate them into ultracold molecules.  We take the approach of forming these molecules one-by-one by combining pairs of ultracold atoms in optical tweezers with complete and dynamic control over geometry.  The flexibility of this approach allows us to work with NaCs, which has a large dipole moment of 4.6 D.  In this talk, I will discuss the trapping and cooling of single atoms, and schemes for molecule formation.

PLEASE NOTE NON STANDARD LOCATION.