Scattering-length determination from trapped pairs of atoms

Journal Article · Mon Aug 15 00:00:00 EDT 2005 · Physical Review. A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.72.022701· OSTI ID:20718121

Shresta, Sanjiv; Tiesinga, Eite; Williams, Carl J ^[1]

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1. Atomic Physics Division, NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899 (United States)

A method is described for estimating effective scattering lengths via spectroscopy on a trapped pair of atoms. The method relies on the phenomena that the energy levels of two atoms in a harmonic trap are shifted by their collisional interaction. The amount of shift depends on the strength of the interaction (i.e., scattering length). By combining the spectra of the trap state energy levels and a suitable model for the effective scattering length, an estimate for the latter may be inferred. Two practical methods for measuring the trap spectra are proposed and illustrated in examples. The accuracy of the scheme is analyzed and requirements on measurement precision are given.

• OSTI ID: 20718121
• Journal Information: Physical Review. A, Vol. 72, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.72.022701; (c) 2005 American Institute of Physics; 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
ACCURACY
ATOMS
ENERGY LEVELS
PHOTON-ATOM COLLISIONS
RADIATION PRESSURE
SCATTERING LENGTHS
SPECTROSCOPY
TRAPPING
TRAPS