Towards Quantum Simulation with Ultrapolar KAg Molecules

Ultracold polar molecules are emerging as a prominent platform for quantum simulation, leveraging their electric dipole moments to facilitate tunable, long-range interactions while retaining long coherence times similar to ultracold atoms. We present progress toward creating ultracold potassium silver (KAg) molecules with a record 8.5 Debye dipole moment that enables MHz-scale interaction strengths, comparable to those employed in existing Rydberg atom platforms. The production of KAg begins with the preparation of ultracold K and Ag. Subsequently, the molecules will be associated into dimers via magnetic Feshbach resonance and transferred to the molecular ground state via stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP), following a path previously demonstrated with ultracold bialkali molecules. We discuss advancements in our vacuum design, electric field control, Zeeman slowing, and Magento-Optical Trapping (MOT) of Ag atoms. This platform will provide an opportunity to explore topological superfluidity and investigate lattice spin models relevant to quantum magnetism.