Progress Towards a 3D MOT of CaH and CaD

Magneto-optical traps (MOTs) are an important stepping stone to controlled studies of cold chemistry, quantum simulation, and precision measurement. Creating MOTs of molecules can be particularly challenging due to their complex structure and the need to cycle many photons in a short period of time. Here we report on progress towards creating a 3D MOT of CaH – a bosonic molecule – and CaD – a fermionic molecule. We show rotational closure and transverse sub-Doppler cooling for CaD in a molecular beam. This is the first time laser cooling has been shown for a fermionic molecule. We also report progress in establishing a 1D MOT of CaH, which would allow for the study of trapping forces. 3D trapping of these molecules would provide new opportunities for controlled studies of two new ultracold isotopologues and an avenue towards creating a new source of cold hydrogen and deuterium through controlled photodissociation.