Rainbow slowing: a novel approach to molecular laser slowing for loading magneto-optical traps

Rainbow slowing is a new method of laser slowing designed to efficiently decelerate molecules for loading into magneto-optical traps (MOTs). To capture CaF molecules in a MOT, they must first be slowed to velocities on the order of 5 m/s. Conventional methods, such as chirped and whitelight slowing, are inefficient due to their lack of spatially dependent velocity selectivity. Rainbow slowing overcomes this limitation by employing a series of laser beams with progressively increasing frequencies, incrementally slowing the molecules along the molecular beam. These frequency-tuned beams are introduced at varying angles to account for differences in molecular trajectories over time. Additionally, the angled configuration provides transverse cooling, mitigating beam divergence. We report on progress toward constructing a rainbow slower for CaF and present simulations evaluating its efficiency.