Polyatomic molecule cooled to almost absolute zero

Magneto optical trap with red lasers shining through a clear cube holding molecules

Source: © NASA/JPL-Caltech/Science Photo Library

Ultracold calcium monohydroxide created in magneto-optical trap

A polyatomic molecule – calcium monohydroxide – has been trapped and cooled to almost absolute zero for the first time. The work could help to pave the way towards studying interactions between individual, ultracold molecules.