Towards Quantum Simulation with Ultrapolar KAg Molecules*

Ultracold polar molecules are emerging as a prominent platform for quantum simulation, leveraging their electric dipole moments to facilitate tunable, long-range interactions while retaining 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, comparable to those employed in existing Rydberg atom platforms. The production of KAg begins with the preparation of ultracold K and Ag. Subsequently, the molecules will be associated into dimers via magnetic Feshbach resonance and transferred to the molecular ground state via stimulated Raman adiabatic passage (STIRAP), following a path previously demonstrated with ultracold bialkali molecules. We discuss the realization of our apparatus, optical trapping of K atoms, as well as progress towards cotrapping of both atomic species. This platform will provide an opportunity to explore topological superfluidity and investigate lattice spin models relevant to quantum magnetism.