Stopping mass-selected alkaline-earth metal monofluoride beams of high energy via formation of unusually stable anions

Abstract

Direct laser-coolability and a comparatively simple electronic structure render alkaline-earth metal monofluoride molecules versatile laboratories for precision tests of fundamental physics. In this theoretical work, a route for efficient stopping and cooling of high-energy hot beams of mass-selected alkaline-earth metal monofluorides via their anions is explored to facilitate subsequent precision experiments with trapped molecules. It is shown that these molecular anions possess an unusually strong chemical bond and that RaF$^-$ features properties favourable for efficient pre-cooling, indicating the applicability of direct laser-cooling of the anion.