Accepted Friday Oct 23, 2009
We demonstrate selective vibrational population transfer in cold cesium dimers using a simple approach based on the use of a shaped, incoherent broadband diode laser near threshold. Optical pumping into a single vibrational level is accomplished with an incoherent light source by eliminating transitions from the targeted vibrational level. The broadband spectrum of the laser is wide enough to electronically excite several vibrational states of the molecule simultaneously. This method is relatively inexpensive, simple and flexible to allow for development of new applications, in particular, the preparation of optically closed molecular system, opening the way to direct laser cooling of molecules.