Observation of a shape resonance in the collision of two cold {sup 87}Rb atoms

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1997 · Physical Review A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.55.636· OSTI ID:435209

Boesten, H M; Tsai, C C; Gardner, J R; Heinzen, D J; Verhaar, B J ^[1]

---

1. Eindhoven University of Technology, Box 513, 5600MB Eindhoven (The Netherlands)

We observe a shape resonance in the scattering of two ultracold {sup 87}Rb atoms, causing the colliding atoms to form a long-living compound system inside an l=2 centrifugal barrier. Its existence follows from a photoassociation experiment in a gas sample of doubly polarized {sup 87}Rb atoms. Using it we are able to carry out direct determinations of the triplet scattering length for {sup 87}Rb, relevant to Bose-Einstein condensation experiments, and of the Rb+Rb C{sub 6} dispersion coefficient. Consequences for the {sup 85}Rb scattering length are discussed. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}

• OSTI ID: 435209
• Journal Information: Physical Review A, Vol. 55, Issue 1; Other Information: PBD: Jan 1997
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
RUBIDIUM 87
ATOM-ATOM COLLISIONS
RUBIDIUM
RESONANCE
TRAPS
POLARIZATION
BOSE-EINSTEIN CONDENSATION
SCATTERING LENGTHS
PHOTON-ATOM COLLISIONS