Generation of Coherent Trimers from Bose-Condensed Atoms via a Generalized Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage

We propose to use a generalized technique of stimulated Raman adiabatic passage to create an atom--molecule dark state that permits the enhanced coherent creation of triatomic molecules in a repulsive atomic Bose--Einsteincondensate. As an interesting comparison, the similar cases of creating heteronuclear (bosonic or fermionic) trimers are also briefly discussed.