Towards Quantum Simulation with Ultrapolar KAg Molecules

Ultracold polar molecules are emerging as a prominent platform for quantum simulation, with tunable electric dipolar interactions and long coherence times. We present progress toward creating ultracold potassium silver (KAg) molecules with a 8.5 Debye dipole moment that will enable MHz-scale interaction strengths. The production of KAg begins with the preparation of K and Ag in magneto-optical traps. We present on lambda-enhanced D1 grey molasses on Ag to 12(4) μK, the first realization of an optical trap of Ag, and evaporative cooling of Ag and K atoms in optical traps. We discuss our progress toward optical co-trapping of the two species and search for interspecies magnetic Feshbach resonances.