Radiative transition probabilities, lifetimes and dipole moments for the vibrational levels of the X1Sigma+ ground state of 39K85Rb

Using a potential energy curve (based primarily on the RKR potential of Amiot and Verges J. Chem. Phys. 112, 7068 (2000)]) and a dipole moment function (based primarily on ab initio calculations of Park et al. Chem. Phys. 257, 135 (2000)]), we have calculated radiative transition probabilities (Einstein A coefficients), radiative lifetimes, and dipole moment expectation values involving all vibrational levels (for several rotational quantum numbers) of the X1Sigma+ ground state of 39K85Rb. We observe that the radiative lifetimes of vibrationally excited levels, in particular, are approximately 10(3)-10(6) seconds, far too long to be significant in most ultracold experiments involving 39K85Rb or its isotopomers. Comparison with other molecules (LiH and HF) suggests that simple scaling (A approximately mu2nu3 approximately tau(-1)) will predict similarly long lifetimes for many other heteronuclear molecules, e.g., RbCs.