Control and detection of molecules in optical tweezers

Advances in quantum manipulation of molecules bring unique opportunities, including the use of molecules to search for new physics, harnessing molecular resources for quantum engineering, and exploring chemical reactions in the ultra-low temperature regime. Thus far, the coldest samples of neutral molecules have been prepared via association of ultracold atoms, with full quantum state control demonstrated in this system. The detection of these molecules is destructive, however, and relies on coherent transfer of molecules back to atoms. Inspired by work on detection of molecular ions via co-trapped atomic ions, I will discuss several approaches that we are pursuing utilizing messenger atoms (including atoms in Rydberg states) to realize the state-sensitive detection of neutral molecules. I will also discuss extending full state control to a reconfigurable 1-D tweezer array of 5 or more molecules.