Detection of ultracold molecules using an optical cavity

Abstract

We theoretically study nondestructive detection of ultracold molecules, using a Fabry-Pérot cavity. Specifically, we consider vacuum Rabi splitting where we demonstrate the use of collective strong coupling for detection of molecules with many participating energy levels. We also consider electromagnetically induced transparency and transient response of light for the molecules interacting with a Fabry-Pérot cavity mode, as a means for nondestructive detection. We identify the parameters required for the detection of molecules in the cavity using electromagnetically induced transparency. The theoretical analysis for these processes is parametrized with realistic values of both the molecule and the cavity. For each process, we quantify the state occupancy of the molecules interacting with the cavity and determine to what extent the population does not change during a detection cycle.