Search arXivSearch

arXiv · physics/0610210

Feshbach resonances in ultracold atomic and molecular collisions: threshold behaviour and suppression of poles in scattering lengths

Abstract

In the absence of inelastic scattering, Feshbach resonances produce poles in scattering lengths and very large peaks in elastic cross sections. However, inelastic scattering removes the poles. Whenever the resonant state is coupled comparably to the elastic and inelastic channels, the scattering length exhibits only a small oscillation and peaks in cross sections are dramatically suppressed. A resonant scattering length is defined to characterize the amplitude of the oscillation, and is shown to be small for many collisions of ultracold molecules. The results suggest that cross sections for ultracold molecular inelastic collisions are much less sensitive to details of the potential than has been believed.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Jeremy M. Hutson. 2007-04-05. Feshbach resonances in ultracold atomic and molecular collisions: threshold behaviour and suppression of poles in scattering lengths. https://doi.org/10.1088/1367-2630%2F9%2F5%2F152

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related papers

State-Dependent Diffusion and Spectra of Strongly Driven Thermal Atoms

We propose a state-dependent diffusion model for strongly driven thermal-atom spectra. Starting from the trajectory-dependent internal-state evolution of individual atoms, we derive a closed spatial equation for the local density-matrix field using a velocity-moment expansion. Measurements of an $^{85}$Rb atomic-filter transmission spectrum agree well with the model up to a maximum Gaussian peak intensity of $1.27\times10^{3}$ W/cm$^2$, approaching six orders of magnitude above the $^{85}$Rb D2-line saturation intensity. Counterintuitively, the model reveals an anomalous optical-pumping pathway in which intense light transfers atoms from nominally dark states into bright states. Hyperfine Paschen--Back splitting selectively enhances this anomalous pathway while suppressing conventional optical pumping, allowing the filter to maintain approximately 97$\%$ transmission at the highest intensity studied. This work provides a framework for controlling strongly driven atomic ensembles and designing saturation-resistant atomic optical devices.

physics.atom-ph

Interactions and excitation blockade of Rydberg macrodimers

We present a theoretical study of interactions between Rydberg macrodimers, molecular bound states of Rydberg atoms, and the largest known neutral homonuclear diatomic molecules. Accounting for the large number of molecular interaction channels from four interacting Rydberg atoms, we show that macrodimer-macrodimer interactions are anisotropic and similar in strength and range to atomic-state Rydberg interactions. Our analysis reveals the presence of two-atom, three-atom, and four-atom contributions in the bimolecular system, and elucidates how these interactions are rooted in the underlying atomic Rydberg-state couplings. Our calculations of the excitation blockade between macrodimers are in reasonable agreement with experimentally observed signals, and pave the way for the exploration of optically controlled collective quantum dynamics in molecular systems.

physics.atom-ph

Non-orthogonal extension of Graspg - dynamic electron correlation for large and compact active spaces

Accurate relativistic multiconfiguration calculations of correlation-sensitive atomic properties are often limited by the rapid growth of configuration state function expansions when a single common orthonormal orbital basis is used. In this work, a partitioned correlation function interaction (PCFI) method is developed for relativistic atomic structure calculations. The correlation space is separated into physically motivated components, which are optimized independently with correlation-specific orbital sets. The interactions between configuration spaces constructed from mutually non-orthogonal orbital sets are evaluated using biorthonormal transformations, allowing different correlation effects to be combined in a compact final interaction calculation. Full details of the method are provided, emphasizing its connection to configuration state function generators (CSFGs), which significantly reduce the time required to construct the Hamiltonian matrix in conventional RCI calculations. Applications to the neutral Li, Be, and Al atoms are presented for energy levels, mass shifts and hyperfine structure constants. Compared with conventional relativistic configuration interaction (RCI) calculations that rely on a single orbital basis, PCFI produces more compact and predictable convergence patterns for both total and transition energies. It also offers greater stability for correlation-sensitive properties such as specific mass shifts and hyperfine constants. By using property-oriented partitions, PCFI captures core-polarization effects more effectively, thereby reducing the oscillatory behavior often observed in standard RCI approaches. Overall, the results demonstrate that PCFI provides a promising and computationally efficient framework for accurate relativistic multiconfiguration calculations of correlation-dependent atomic properties.

physics.atom-ph