Optimized Optical Traps and Tweezers for Laser-Cooled CaF Molecules: Simulation and Apparatus

Optical traps and tweezer arrays of laser-cooled molecules provide a powerful platform for achieving full quantum control and long coherence times, key requirements for precision measurements and quantum information applications. However, the high-intensity trapping light present in optical dipole traps and tweezers can interfere with efficient laser cooling. Here, we use Monte Carlo simulations to identify trapping wavelengths that optimize cooling. Additionally, we investigate the viability of employing blue-detuned traps for CaF molecules to enable efficient evaporative cooling and to improve molecular tweezer-based applications. We compare simulated predictions of cooling and trapping efficiencies to current experiments. Finally, we report on progress towards constructing an apparatus employing these optimized traps for CaF.