Laser Cooling of Molecular Anions

International audienceWe propose a scheme for laser cooling of negatively charged molecules.We briefly summarise the requirements for such laser cooling and we identify a number of potential candidates. A detailed computation study with C$_2^-$, the most studied molecular anion, is carried out. Simulations of 3D laser cooling in a gas phase show that this molecule could be cooled down to below 1 mK in only a few tens of milliseconds, using standard lasers.Sisyphus cooling, where no photo-detachment process is present, as well as Doppler laser cooling of trapped C$_2^-$, are also simulated.This cooling scheme has an impact on the study of cold molecules, molecular anions, charged particle sources and antimatter physics