Model study on the photoassociation of a pair of trapped atoms into an ultralong-range molecule

Journal Article · Mon Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2003 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.68.033408· OSTI ID:20640209

Deb, B ^[1]; You, L ^[2]

---

1. Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380 009 (India)
2. School of Physics, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332 (United States)

Using the method of quantum-defect theory, we calculate the ultra-long-range molecular vibrational states near the dissociation threshold of a diatomic molecular potential which asymptotically varies as -1/R{sup 3}. The properties of these states are of considerable interest as they can be formed by photoassociation (PA) of two ground-state atoms. The Franck-Condon overlap integrals between the harmonically trapped atom-pair states and the ultra-long-range molecular vibrational states are estimated and compared with their values for a pair of untrapped free atoms in the low-energy scattering state. We find that the binding between a pair of ground-state atoms by a harmonic trap has significant effect on the Franck-Condon integrals and thus can be used to influence PA. Trap-induced binding between two ground-state atoms may facilitate coherent PA dynamics between the two atoms and the photoassociated diatomic molecule.

• OSTI ID: 20640209
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Vol. 68, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.68.033408; (c) 2003 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ATOMS
DEFECTS
DISSOCIATION
GROUND STATES
MOLECULES
PHOTOCHEMISTRY
POTENTIALS
RADIATION PRESSURE
SCATTERING
TRAPPING
TRAPS
VIBRATIONAL STATES