Theoretical electronic structure with spin–orbit coupling effect of the molecules SrAt and BaAt for laser cooling studies

Abstract Ab initio CASSCF/MRCI + Q calculations have been used to investigate the electronic structure and transition properties of the alkaline earth astatine molecules SrAt and BaAt. The adiabatic potential energy curves have been computed and plotted for the low-lying electronic states in the representations 2S+1Λ+/− and Ω(±) (with and without spin–orbit coupling effect). The spectroscopic and vibrational constants have been deduced for the corresponding bound states. An analysis of the Franck–Condon factors, the Einstein Coefficients, and the branching ratios among different vibrational levels has shown that both SrAt and BaAt molecules are suitable candidates for Doppler and Sysphus laser cooling. Experimental laser cooling schemes and conditions for these two molecules have been proposed. These results may pave the way for new spectroscopic and laser cooling experiments of alkaline earth astatine molecules.