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Near-threshold photoassociation of {sup 87}Rb{sub 2}

Journal Article · · Physical Review. A
; ; ; ; ;  [1]
  1. Department of Molecular and Optical Physics, Albert-Ludwigs-Universitaet, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, D-79104 Freiburg (Germany)
Photoassociation of cold {sup 87}Rb(5s,f{sub b}=2) atom pairs is studied within 13 GHz of the dissociation limits {sup 87}Rb(5p{sub 3/2},f{sub a})+{sup 87}Rb(5s,f{sub b}=2). Vibrational levels in the long range, hyperfine manifolds of the 0{sub g}{sup -} and 1{sub g} states arising from the {sup 87}Rb(5p{sub 3/2}) fine structure limit are identified to lead to the formation of stable molecules in the photoassociation process. The vibrational bands are observed to break off, at positions matching the energetic location of potential-energy barriers predicted in the hyperfine manifolds at about 1 GHz above the {sup 87}Rb(5p{sub 3/2},f{sub a}=3)+{sup 87}Rb(5s,f{sub b}=1) dissociation limit. Empiricial potential-energy curves are derived from the data. These are found to be in agreement with predictions based on the long-range hyperfine recoupling of the excited molecular states. The selectivity of the excitation process and predissociation mechanisms are discussed.
OSTI ID:
20640738
Journal Information:
Physical Review. A, Journal Name: Physical Review. A Journal Issue: 2 Vol. 69; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English