Atomic density and light intensity dependences of the Rb{sub 2} molecule formation rate constant in a magneto-optical trap

Journal Article · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 2005 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.71.043403· OSTI ID:20653318

Caires, A R.L.; Nascimento, V A; Rezende, D C.J.; Bagnato, V S; Marcassa, L G ^[1]

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1. Instituto de Fisica de Sao Carlos, Universidade de Sao Paulo, Caixa Postal 369, 13560-970, Sao Carlos, SP (Brazil)

In this paper, we report the measurement of molecular formation rate constant of Rb{sub 2} directly in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). The ground state molecules are detected by two-photon ionization, resonantly enhanced through the intermediate a{sup 3}{sigma}{sub u}{sup +}{yields}2{sup 3}{pi}{sub g} molecular band. We have measured the rate constant as a function of atomic density to conclude that the molecules Rb{sub 2} are formed in the MOT by a photoassociation process caused by the trapping laser beams. We also measured the rate constant as a function of the trapping laser intensity. The results here presented are of importance to future experiments involving trapping of cold molecules.

• OSTI ID: 20653318
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Vol. 71, Issue 4; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.71.043403; (c) 2005 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
COOLING
DENSITY
GROUND STATES
LASER RADIATION
MAGNETO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
MOLECULES
MULTI-PHOTON PROCESSES
PHOTOIONIZATION
PHOTON-MOLECULE COLLISIONS
REACTION KINETICS
RUBIDIUM
TRAPPING
TRAPS
VISIBLE RADIATION