Photoassociation spectroscopy of lattice-trapped Yb 171 atoms near the S0 1 - P1 3 (f=1/2) intercombination line

We report on the photoassociation (PA) spectroscopy of cold Yb171 atoms in a one-dimensional optical lattice. The PA spectral lines correlating to the S01+P13 (f=1/2) state are observed experimentally. High accuracy and narrow atom-loss spectra are measured ranging up to about 1.2 GHz red detuning with respect to the atomic resonance. The main systematic frequency shifts of the PA transitions are determined with total uncertainties less than 100 kHz, which is more accurate than previous similar experimental results. We determine the initial scattering state of the PA spectra by comparing the spectra with polarized and unpolarized atomic samples. By comparatively analyzing theoretical results calculated based on an adiabatic molecular potential with experimental data, the excited molecular potentials corresponding to the spectral lines are clarified. The precision measurement of the narrow PA spectra plays an important role in exploring atomic interactions and lays the groundwork for the study of cold ytterbium molecules.