Experimental investigation of ultracold atom-molecule collisions

Ultracold collisions between Cs atoms and Cs2 dimers in the electronic ground state are observed in an optically trapped gas of atoms and molecules. The Cs2 molecules are formed in the triplet ground state by cw photoassociation through the outer well of the 0-(g) (P3/2) excited electronic state. Inelastic atom-molecule collisions converting internal excitation into kinetic energy lead to a loss of Cs2 molecules from the dipole trap. Rate coefficients are determined for collisions involving Cs atoms in either the F=3 or F=4 hyperfine ground state, and Cs2 molecules in either highly vibrationally excited states (nu'=32-47) or in low vibrational states (nu'=4-6) of the a3 summation(u)+ triplet ground state. The rate coefficients beta approximately 10(-10) cm3/s are found to be largely independent of the vibrational and rotational excitation indicating unitary limited cross sections.     

Accumulation of cold cesium molecules via photoassociation in a mixed atomic and molecular trap

We have realized a mixed atomic and molecular trap, constituted by a Cs vapor-cell magneto-optical trap and a quadrupolar magnetic C s(2) trap, using the same magnetic field gradient. We observed the trapping of 2x 10(5) molecules, formed and accumulated in the metastable a (3)Sigma(+ )(u) state at a temperature of 30+/-10 microK through a approximately 150 ms photoassociation process. The lifetime of the trapped molecular cloud limited by the Cs background gas pressure is on the order of 1 s.     

Collisional properties of cold spin-polarized metastable neon atoms

We measure the rates of elastic and inelastic two-body collisions of cold spin-polarized neon atoms in the metastable 3P2 state for 20Ne and 22Ne in a magnetic trap. From particle loss, we determine the loss parameter of inelastic collisions beta=6.5(18) x 10(-12) cm(3) s(-1) for 20Ne and beta=1.2(3) x 10(-11) cm(3) s(-1) for 22Ne. These losses are caused by ionizing (i.e., Penning) collisions and occur less frequently than for unpolarized atoms. This proves the suppression of Penning ionization due to spin polarization. From cross-dimensional relaxation measurements, we obtain elastic scattering lengths of a=-180(40)a(0) for 20Ne and a = +150(+80)(-50)a(0) for 22Ne, where a(0)=0.0529 nm.     

852.3 nm激光线共振激发Cs蒸气的荧光光谱

研究了Cs蒸气被单模半导体激光器的852.3 nm线激发产生的荧光光谱。由Cs,Cs₂的荧光及其强度确定了在受激Cs-Cs₂系统中的若干碰撞和辐射过程。高位态原子线是由Cs(6P_3/2)+ Cs(6P_3/2)到Cs(6D,8S)的碰撞能量合并形成的,Cs₂(B 1∏_u)带则由Cs(6P)+Cs₂(X 1Σ+_g)碰撞转移产生。通过激发转移、能量碰撞合并和Cs₂-Cs碰撞传能研究了6 2P原子的精细结构混合,得到了6P_3/2→6P_1/2碰撞转移速率系数是(5.2±2.1)×10-11 cm3·s-1,给出了过程Cs₂(B 1∏_u)+Cs(6S)→Cs₂(X 1Σ+_g)+Cs(6P_1/2)的速率系数是(1.0±0.4)×10-9 cm3·s-1。     

Sensitive detection of cold cesium molecules formed on Feshbach resonances

We observe the dynamic formation of quasibound Cs2 molecules near Feshbach resonances in a cold sample of atomic cesium. Using an external probe beam, more than 15 weakly coupled molecular states are detected with high sensitivity, whose collisional formation cross sections are as small as sigma=2 x 10(-16) cm(2). By modeling the molecule formation and dissociation processes with rate equations, we conclude that at an atomic density of 10(13) cm(-3) and temperature of 5 microK, more than 5(1)x10(5) Cs2 molecules in a single rovibrational state coexist with 10(8) Cs atoms in our trap.     

Cs(8S)态的碰撞转移和高位原子态的激发

在Cs蒸气中,二步激发Cs原子至8S态,研究了其碰撞转移和高位原子态的产生过程.在1016～1017 cm-3密度范围内,测量了碰撞激发转移8S 6S→6D 6S的速率系数.由测得的荧光强度随密度的变化关系,得到k6D=(2.4±0.5)×10-10 cm3·s-1.同时研究了碰撞能量合并过程5D 5D→nL 6S(nL=9D,11S,7F),5D态是由8S→7P→5D的辐射跃迁产生的.由以前测量过的6P 5D 6S 7D的转移速率系数以及6P态的原子密度,结合荧光强度比得到碰撞能量合并过程的速率系数,对于9D,11S和7F各态,其平均值分别为(6.4±3.2)×10-10,(1.0±0.5)×10-10和(8.4±4.2)×10-10 cm3·s-1.     

Cold N+NH collisions in a magnetic trap

We present an experimental and theoretical study of atom-molecule collisions in a mixture of cold, trapped N atoms and NH molecules at a temperature of ～600 mK. We measure a small N+NH trap loss rate coefficient of k(loss)(N+NH)=9(5)(3)×10(-13) cm(3)?s(-1). Accurate quantum scattering calculations based on ab initio interaction potentials are in agreement with experiment and indicate the magnetic dipole interaction to be the dominant loss mechanism. Our theory further indicates the ratio of N+NH elastic-to-inelastic collisions remains large (>100) into the mK regime.     

用光学-光学双共振光谱技术研究Cs蒸气中的共振交换碰撞

利用窄带半导体激光器泵浦所有具有相同z分量速度的基态Cs原子至激发态,研究了Cs(6P_3/2, v) +Cs(6S_1/2, v′)→Cs(6S_1/2, v) +Cs(6P_3/2, v′)的共振交换碰撞过程。与泵浦光反向平行的另一单模激光器激发6P_3/2至8S_1/2态,以检测6P_3/2态原子的速度分布,确定激发态原子的热能化效应。通过测量8S_1/2→6P_1/2荧光的尖峰强度与相应的多普勒背景的强度比,得到共振交换碰撞速率系数为k=9.62×10-7 cm3·s-1。证明了在纯碱金属蒸气中,由共振交换机制产生的热能化效应的大小比由速度改变碰撞引起的大3个数量级。     

Cs(6DJ)+Cs(6S1/2)非弹性碰撞转移截面的测定

在9×1014～2.1×1015cm-3 Cs密度范围内,利用脉冲激光双光子激发Cs(6S1/2)到Cs(6D5/2)态,使用原子荧光光谱方法,通过三能级模型的速率方程分析,由对直接荧光和转移荧光的时间积分强度的测量,得到6D5/2→6D3/2精细结构转移截面为(2.1±0.4)×10-14cm2,而6D3/2态向6D以外态的转移截面为(1.6±0.4)×10-14cm2,它应是过程Cs(6 D3/2)+Cs(6S)→Cs(6P)+Cs(6P),6D3/2→7P3/2和6D3/2→7 P1/2碰撞转移截面之和.第二个实验可以得到6 D3/2→7P3/2和6D3/2→7 P1/2的碰撞转移截面.在1×1012～6×1012cm-3的低密度Cs蒸气中,激光双光子激发6S至6D3/2或6D5/2态,测量6DJ→6PJ'与7PJ"→6S1/2的时间积分荧光强度比,得到6D3/2→7P1/2与6D5/2→7R3/2的碰撞转移截面分别为(7.6±2.4)×10-15cm2与(1.6±0.5)×10-15cm2.由此得到碰撞能量合并的逆过程即[Cs(6D3/2)+Cs(6S1/2)→Cs(6P)+Cs(6P)]的转移截面为(1.3±0.4)×10-14cm2.     

Cold inelastic collisions between lithium and cesium in a two-species magneto-optical trap

We investigate collisional properties of lithium and cesium which are simultaneously confined in a combined magneto-optical trap. Trap-loss collisions between the two species are comprehensively studied. Different inelastic collision channels are identified, and inter-species rate coefficients as well as cross-sections are determined. It is found that loss rates are independent of the optical excitation of Li, as a consequence of the repulsive Li^*-Cs interaction. Li and Cs loss by inelastic inter-species collisions can completely be attributed to processes involving optically excited cesium (fine-structure changing collisions and radiative escape). By lowering the trap depth for Li, an additional loss channel of Li is observed which results from ground-state Li-Cs collisions changing the hyperfine state of cesium. Received 28 December 1998 and Received in final form 16 February 1999     

Magnetic trapping of metastable helium atoms

Metastable helium atoms were efficiently transferred from a magneto-optical trap (MOT) to a magnetic quadrupole trap, producing samples of up to 3᎒⁷ magnetically trapped atoms at a temperature of about 1 mK. We observe purely exponential decay of the samples with time constants of 9-10 s and derive an upper bound for the rate coefficient of inelastic Penning collisions.     

Cs_2(B~1Π_u)态与基态Cs原子间的碰撞激发转移

在Cs2密度约为2×1013 cm-3的纯Cs样品池中,脉冲激光激发Cs2(X1 Σg+)至B 1Πu态,利用原子和分子荧光光谱方法研究了Cs2(B 1Πu)+Cs(6S)的碰撞激发转移过程.用736 nm激发Cs2到B 1Πu(v＜10),这时预解离不发生.由B 1Πu→X1 Σg+时间分辨跃迁信号得到B 1Πu态的辐射寿命为(35±7)ns,B1Πu态与Cs原子碰撞转移总截面为(4.0±0.5)×10-14 cm2.用705 nm激发至B 1Πu(v＞30)态,这时发生预解离,在不同的Cs密度下,测量了I(D1),I(D2)和分子带的时间积分荧光的相对强度,得到了预解离率为(4.3±1.7)×105 s-1(对预解离到6P3/2)和(4.7±1.9)×106 s-1(对预解离至6P1/2);碰撞转移截面为(0.45±0.18)×10-14 cm2(对转移到6 P1/2)和(4.3±1.7)×10-14 cm2(对转移到6P3/2).结果表明,如果B 1Πu(v)是束缚的,6P原子由碰撞转移产生;如果B 1Πu(v)是预解离的,则6P原子由预解离和碰撞转移产生.     

Collisions in a cesium hybrid optical and magnetic trap

A new scheme for trapping Cs atoms in a non dissipative trap has been developed. The trap involves both optical dipole forces and magnetic forces. This device is suitable for Cs atoms in the lowest energy Zeeman sublevel, thus avoiding the two-body inelastic collisions which prevented reaching Bose-Einstein condensation of Cs in purely magnetic traps. Furthermore, an additional magnetic field can be applied, allowing a fine tuning of the two-body elastic collision cross-section. We report on the experimental realization of such a trap and describe the characteristics of the trapped atomic sample. An analysis of the collisional regime is performed using measurements of the damping of the oscillatory modes of the trapped atom cloud.     

Cs(6D_J)+(H_2,H_e)的反应与非反应碰撞能量转移

在样品池条件下,利用原子荧光光谱方法,测量了Cs(6DJ)与H2,He碰撞中的反应与非反应能量转移截面.利用脉冲激光886nm线双光子激发Cs(6S)到Cs(6D3/2)态,原子荧光中除含有6D3/2→6P的直接荧光外,还含有6D5/2→6P的转移荧光.利用三能级模型的速率方程分析,在不同的He和H2密度下,分别测垦直接荧光与转移荧光的时间积分荧光强度比,得到了6D3/2与H2和He碰撞的精细结构转移截面分别为σ=(55±13)×10-16和(16±4)×10-16 cm2,同时确定了6D5/2与H2和He的碰撞猝灭速率系数.6D5/2态与H2的碰撞猝灭速率系数比6D5/2与He的大,它是反应与非反应速率系数之和,利用实验数据确定非反应速率系数为6.3×10-10 cm3·s-1,得到6D5/2与H2的反应截面为(2.0±0.8)×10-16 cm2.利用不同H2(或He)密度下6D5/2→6P3/2时间积分荧光强度,得到6D3/2与H2反应截面为(4.0±1.6)×10-16 cm2,6D3/2与H2反应的活性大于6D5/2.     

Cs2分子的光解光谱

利用He-Cd激光器的441.6 nm线光解Cs2分子, 使Cs(n2L)(nL=7P, 6D)态得到布居, 在Cs密度1到9×1015 cm-3范围内测量原子荧光对分子荧光强度比, 得到碰撞转移率系数对解离率之比分别为2.9×10-17和7.4×10-18 cm3. 测定Cs nLJ对nLJ'荧光分支比, 得到72P, 62D态精细结构解离率之比分别为0.53和0.43. 从远翼激发得到的精细结构转移截面与从其他激发过程得到的截面结果相符, 给出了碰撞转移到6D态外(即Cs(6D)+Cs(6S)→Cs(6D)以外的态)的截面为1.9×10-14 cm2.     

Magnetic trapping and Zeeman relaxation of NH (X3Sigma-)

NH radicals are magnetically trapped and their Zeeman relaxation and energy transport collision cross sections with helium are measured. Continuous buffer-gas loading of the trap is direct from a room-temperature molecular beam. The Zeeman relaxation (inelastic) cross section of magnetically trapped electronic, vibrational, and rotational ground state NH molecules in collisions with 3He is measured to be 3.8+/-1.1 x 10(-19) cm(2) at 710 mK. The NH-He energy transport cross section is also measured, indicating a ratio of diffusive to inelastic cross sections of gamma=7 x 10(4), in agreement with recent theory [R. V. Krems, H. R. Sadeghpour, A. Dalgarno, D. Zgid, J. K?os, and G. Cha?asiński, Phys. Rev. A 68, 051401 (2003)10.1103/PhysRevA.68.051401].     

Slow spin relaxation of Rb atoms confined in glass cells filled with dense 4He gas at 1.85 K

At temperatures below 2.1 K, long-lived gaseous Rb atoms in glass cells have been generated with a simple method: irradiating the cells, containing 4He gas and Rb metal, with a cw laser. The obtained atomic Rb density ( approximately 10(8) cm(-3)) decreases with a 1/e time constant of about 10 s at 1.85 K. We have performed optical pumping of the Rb atoms and measured the longitudinal electronic spin relaxation time at 1.85 K as well. For processes (such as Rb-He collisions) which do not remove the atomic Rb from the vapor, this relaxation time is found to be about 60+/-15 s.     

Mixture of ultracold lithium and cesium atoms in an optical dipole trap

We present the first simultaneous trapping of two different ultracold atomic species in a conservative trap. Lithium and cesium atoms are stored in an optical dipole trap formed by the focus of a CO₂ laser. Techniques for loading both species of atoms are discussed and observations of elastic and inelastic collisions between the two species are presented. A model for sympathetic cooling of two species with strongly different mass in the presence of slow evaporation is developed. From the observed Cs-induced evaporation of Li atoms we estimate a cross-section for cold elastic Li-Cs collisions. Received: 1 August 2001 / Published online: 23 November 2001     

K-Cs混合蒸气中K(4P)+Cs(5D)碰撞能量合并

测量了K- Cs混合蒸气中碰撞能量合并过程K(4P) +Cs(5D)→Cs(6S) +K(4D ,6S)速率系数,测量是相对于已知速率系数的过程[即Cs(6P) +Cs(5D)→Cs(6S) +Cs(7DJ) ]进行的。利用激光光解K2 和Cs2分子,得到Cs(6P ,5D)和K(4P)态原子,探测直接由光解离产生的原子发射的与由碰撞转移而布居的原子激发态发射的荧光的相对强度,结合Cs(6P)和K(4P)态的有效寿命,得到异核碰撞能量合并速率系数分别为2. 6×10 -9和3 .6×10 -9cm3 ·s-1。讨论了其他过程对速率系数的影响。     

Inelastic collisions of medium energy atomic elements in solids

The stopping of medium atomic elements in solids has been calculated in the framework of classical approximation, taking into account elastic and inelastic collisions. The calculations are based on the 1) revised equations for the law of energy and impulse conservation, which were earlier used to describe inelastic collisions of atomic particles, 2) theory of quasi-small angle scattering, 3) power potential of LNS, and 4) limitation of the maximum distance of atoms approach determined by the interatomic distance in solids. Analytical equations have been obtained to calculate 1) a differential cross-section of elastic scattering in the presence of inelastic collisions, 2) energy transferred, 3) cross-sections of elastic and inelastic stopping, and penetration depth. Implantation into solids was found to be of threshold character.