Optimal production of AlCl via laser ablation

Ultracold polar molecules allow for a range of novel studies, including many-body physics of quantum degenerate gases, quantum computing, precision measurements and tests of fundamental symmetries. Laser cooling has been key as a first step towards implementing similar applications with atoms. Applying the same schemes to molecules, however, is challenging due to their additional degrees of freedom, which interrupt the photon cycling process by a decay into dark states. With an estimated Franck-Condon factor of 99.88%, AlCl is an excellent candidate for laser cooling. Starting with a cryogenic buffer-gas beam source, we use pulsed-laser ablation to produce AlCl in the gas phase and a frequency-tripled Ti:Saph laser system to carry out precise spectroscopy on AlCl. To maximize the yield of AlCl, we have systematically studied and compared various precursor targets, including mixtures of KCl:Al, NaCl:Al, CaCl2:Al, MgCl2:Al, and AlCl3. Here, we will give an update on the status of the experiment, our target studies and discuss our progress towards slowing and cooling AlCl.