Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1303.3093 · Physical Review A

Charge transfer in cold Yb + +Rb collisions

Elvira R. Sayfutyarova, Alexei A. Buchachenko, Svetlana A. Yakovleva, Andrey K. Belyaev

Published May 29, 2013• 35 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

Charge-transfer cold Yb${}^{+}$$+$ Rb collision dynamics is investigated theoretically using high-level ab initio potential energy curves, dipole moment functions, and nonadiabatic coupling matrix elements. Within the scalar-relativistic approximation, the radiative transitions from the entrance $A{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}$ to the ground $X{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}$ state are found to be the only efficient charge-transfer pathway. The spin-orbit coupling does not open other efficient pathways, but alters the potential energy curves and the transition dipole moment for the $A\ensuremath{-}X$ pair of states. The radiative, as well as the nonradiative, charge-transfer cross sections calculated within the ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}--10$ cm${}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ collision energy range exhibit all features of the Langevin ion-atom collision regime, including a rich structure associated with centrifugal barrier tunneling (orbiting) resonances. Theoretical rate coefficients for two Yb isotopes agree well with those measured by immersing Yb${}^{+}$ ions in an ultracold Rb ensemble in a hybrid trap. Possible origins of discrepancy in the product distributions and relations to previously studied similar processes are discussed.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.87.052717

Related papers

Charge transfer in cold collisions of rubidium atoms with calcium and ytterbium ions

Svetlana A. Yakovleva, Andrey K. Belyaev, Alexei A. Buchachenko

Low-energy collisions of the Ca and Yb cations with Rb atoms are investigated theoretically using accurate ab initio potential energy curves and coupling matrix elements to elucidate the dominant charge transfer mechanisms. The cross sections calculated at collision energies above 10 −5 cm −1 exhibit the features typical to Langevin ion-atom collision regime, including a rich structure associated with the centrifugal barrier tunnelling (orbiting) resonances. It is shown that the dominant process in Yb + + Rb collisions is the radiative charge transfer, while in the case of Ca + + Rb collisions nonadiabatic transitions due to spin-orbit coupling dominate. Theoretical results are in a good agreement with available experimental data.

Journal of Physics Conference Series•Dec 10, 2014•1 citation

Ultracold, radiative charge transfer in hybrid Yb ion–Rb atom traps

B. M. McLaughlin, H D L Lamb, I C Lane +1 more

Ultracold hybrid ion–atom traps offer the possibility of microscopic manipulation of quantum coherences in the gas using the ion as a probe. However, inelastic processes, particularly charge transfer can be a significant process of ion loss and has been measured experimentally for the ion immersed in a Rb vapour. We use first-principles quantum chemistry codes to obtain the potential energy curves and dipole moments for the lowest-lying energy states of this complex. Calculations for the radiative decay processes cross sections and rate coefficients are presented for the total decay processes; and . Comparing the semi-classical Langevin approximation with the quantum approach, we find it provides a very good estimate of the background at higher energies. The results demonstrate that radiative decay mechanisms are important over the energy and temperature region considered. In fact, the Langevin process of ion–atom collisions dominates cold ion–atom collisions. For spin-dependent processes [ 1 ] the anisotropic magnetic dipole–dipole interaction and the second-order spin–orbit coupling can play important roles, inducing coupling between the spin and the orbital motion. They measured the spin-relaxing collision rate to be approximately five orders of magnitude higher than the charge-exchange collision rate [ 1 ]. Regarding the measured radiative charge transfer collision rate, we find that our calculation is in very good agreement with experiment and with previous calculations. Nonetheless, we find no broad resonances features that might underly a strong isotope effect. In conclusion, we find, in agreement with previous theory that the isotope anomaly observed in experiment remains an open question.

arXiv:1404.6579•Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Jul 4, 2014•20 citations

Cold ion-neutral reactions

Felix H. J. Hall

Cold ion-neutral reactive processes were studied in an hybrid trap down to average collision energies <E_coll>/k_B > 20 mK. The atomic ion-neutral systems Ca^+ + Rb and Ba^+ + Rb were studied, and the results interpreted with high-level quantum chemical and quantum scattering calculations. Three reactive processes were found to be in competition, namely non-radiative charge transfer induced by non-adiabatic couplings between potential energy surfaces, radiative charge transfer, and radiative association of molecular ions, which were observed using mass spectrometry. The role of light in these processes was investigated. Enhancement of reaction rate constants from electronically excited entrance channels was observed and rationalised using computed potential energy curves. The collision-energy dependence of the reaction rate constants was investigated, and was found to be in line with predictions of both classical and quantum models uncovering general effects in cold ion-neutral systems. Cold reactions in the molecular ion-neutral system N_2^+ + Rb were also investigated with average collision energies two orders of magnitude lower than previously realised. The reaction rate constant in this system was found to depend strongly on the Rb ^2P_3/2 population, with the rate constant from the corresponding excited entrance channel being significantly faster than the collision rate predicted by Langevin theory. A classical capture model was developed taking into account the charge permanent-quadrupole intermolecular force and was found to reproduce the observed rate. The implied near unit reaction probability was rationalised by a near electronic resonance of entrance and product channels. A detailed description of the implementation of the ion-neutral hybrid trap is given. A thorough comparison of the results from state-of-the-art experiments and theory reveals general features of light assisted cold ion-neutral reactions. \n

•Jan 1, 2013•0 citations

Structure and interactions of ultracold Yb ions and Rb atoms

H D L Lamb, J F McCann, B. M. McLaughlin +3 more

In order to study ultracold charge-transfer processes in hybrid atom-ion traps, we have mapped out the potential-energy curves and molecular parameters for several low-lying states of the Rb, Yb${}^{+}$ system. We employ both a multireference configuration interaction and a full configuration interaction (FCI) approach. Turning points, crossing points, potential minima, and spectroscopic molecular constants are obtained for the lowest five molecular states. Long-range parameters, including the dispersion coefficients, are estimated from our ab initio data. The separated-atom ionization potentials and atomic polarizability of the ytterbium atom (${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{d}=128.4$ atomic units) are in good agreement with experiment and previous calculations. We present some dynamical calculations for (adiabatic) scattering lengths for the two lowest (Yb, Rb${}^{+}$) channels that were carried out in our work. However, we find that the pseudopotential approximation is rather limited in validity and only applies to nK temperatures. The adiabatic scattering lengths for both the triplet and singlet channels indicate that both are large and negative in the FCI approximation.

arXiv:1107.1141•Physical Review A•Aug 29, 2012•18 citations

Accurate calculations of the ground state and low-lying excited states of the (RbBa)+molecular ion: a proposed system for ultracold reactive collisions

Stefan Knecht, Lasse Kragh Sørensen, Hans Jørgen Aa. Jensen +2 more

Collisions of ultracold Ba + ions on a Rb Bose–Einstein condensate have been suggested as a possible benchmark system for ultracold ion-neutral collision experiments. However, a priori knowledge of the possible processes is desirable. For this purpose, we here present high-level four-component coupled cluster and multi-reference configuration interaction calculations of potential energy curves, dipole moments and spectroscopic constants of the experimentally interesting low-lying electronic states of the (RbBa) + molecule. Our results show significant avoided crossings between the Rb + Ba + entrance channels and low-lying charge transfer states of the Rb + and Ba ( 3 D) atomic channels, indicating that a fast non-radiative charge transfer is possible. Population analysis shows that a partially covalent polar bond is formed in the ground state, which thus deviates significantly from a pure Rb + + Ba interaction. This finding is corroborated by the electric dipole moment which is found only to be 4.5 D at the equilibrium bond distance, compared with the 14 D for a pure Rb + + Ba interaction, thereby supporting the view of a partial charge transfer between the two atoms.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Feb 16, 2010•17 citations

Formation of molecular ions by radiative association of cold trapped atoms and ions

Humberto da Silva, Maurice Raoult, M Aymar +1 more

Radiative emission during cold collisions between trapped laser-cooled Rb atoms and alkaline-earth ions (Ca$^+$, Sr$^+$, Ba$^+$) and Yb$^+$, and between Li and Yb$^+$, are studied theoretically, using accurate effective-core-potential based quantum chemistry calculations of potential energy curves and transition dipole moments of the related molecular ions. Radiative association of molecular ions is predicted to occur for all systems with a cross section two to ten times larger than the radiative charge transfer one. Partial and total rate constants are also calculated and compared to available experiments. Narrow shape resonances are expected, which could be detectable at low temperature with an experimental resolution at the limit of the present standards. Vibrational distributions are also calculated, showing that the final molecular ions are not created in their ground state level.

•Feb 26, 2015•46 citations
Charge-transfer cold Yb{}^{+}$$+ Rb collision dynamics is investigated theoretically using high-level ab initio potential energy curves, dipole moment functions, and nonadiabatic coupling matrix elements. Within the scalar-relativistic approximation, the radiative transitions from the entrance A1\ensuremathΣ+A{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}A1\ensuremathΣ+ to the ground X1\ensuremathΣ+X{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{1}{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}X1\ensuremathΣ+ state are found to be the only efficient charge-transfer pathway. The spin-orbit coupling does not open other efficient pathways, but alters the potential energy curves and the transition dipole moment for the A\ensuremath−XA\ensuremath{-}XA\ensuremath−X pair of states. The radiative, as well as the nonradiative, charge-transfer cross sections calculated within the 10\ensuremath−3−−10{10}^{\ensuremath{-}3}--1010\ensuremath−3−−10 cm\ensuremath−1{}^{\ensuremath{-}1}\ensuremath−1 collision energy range exhibit all features of the Langevin ion-atom collision regime, including a rich structure associated with centrifugal barrier tunneling (orbiting) resonances. Theoretical rate coefficients for two Yb isotopes agree well with those measured by immersing Yb+{}^{+}+ ions in an ultracold Rb ensemble in a hybrid trap. Possible origins of discrepancy in the product distributions and relations to previously studied similar processes are discussed.
Low-energy collisions of the Ca and Yb cations with Rb atoms are investigated theoretically using accurate ab initio potential energy curves and coupling matrix elements to elucidate the dominant charge transfer mechanisms. The cross sections calculated at collision energies above 10 −5 cm −1 exhibit the features typical to Langevin ion-atom collision regime, including a rich structure associated with the centrifugal barrier tunnelling (orbiting) resonances. It is shown that the dominant process in Yb + + Rb collisions is the radiative charge transfer, while in the case of Ca + + Rb collisions nonadiabatic transitions due to spin-orbit coupling dominate. Theoretical results are in a good agreement with available experimental data.
Ultracold hybrid ion–atom traps offer the possibility of microscopic manipulation of quantum coherences in the gas using the ion as a probe. However, inelastic processes, particularly charge transfer can be a significant process of ion loss and has been measured experimentally for the ion immersed in a Rb vapour. We use first-principles quantum chemistry codes to obtain the potential energy curves and dipole moments for the lowest-lying energy states of this complex. Calculations for the radiative decay processes cross sections and rate coefficients are presented for the total decay processes; and . Comparing the semi-classical Langevin approximation with the quantum approach, we find it provides a very good estimate of the background at higher energies. The results demonstrate that radiative decay mechanisms are important over the energy and temperature region considered. In fact, the Langevin process of ion–atom collisions dominates cold ion–atom collisions. For spin-dependent processes [ 1 ] the anisotropic magnetic dipole–dipole interaction and the second-order spin–orbit coupling can play important roles, inducing coupling between the spin and the orbital motion. They measured the spin-relaxing collision rate to be approximately five orders of magnitude higher than the charge-exchange collision rate [ 1 ]. Regarding the measured radiative charge transfer collision rate, we find that our calculation is in very good agreement with experiment and with previous calculations. Nonetheless, we find no broad resonances features that might underly a strong isotope effect. In conclusion, we find, in agreement with previous theory that the isotope anomaly observed in experiment remains an open question.
Cold ion-neutral reactive processes were studied in an hybrid trap down to average collision energies <E_coll>/k_B > 20 mK. The atomic ion-neutral systems Ca^+ + Rb and Ba^+ + Rb were studied, and the results interpreted with high-level quantum chemical and quantum scattering calculations. Three reactive processes were found to be in competition, namely non-radiative charge transfer induced by non-adiabatic couplings between potential energy surfaces, radiative charge transfer, and radiative association of molecular ions, which were observed using mass spectrometry. The role of light in these processes was investigated. Enhancement of reaction rate constants from electronically excited entrance channels was observed and rationalised using computed potential energy curves. The collision-energy dependence of the reaction rate constants was investigated, and was found to be in line with predictions of both classical and quantum models uncovering general effects in cold ion-neutral systems. Cold reactions in the molecular ion-neutral system N_2^+ + Rb were also investigated with average collision energies two orders of magnitude lower than previously realised. The reaction rate constant in this system was found to depend strongly on the Rb ^2P_3/2 population, with the rate constant from the corresponding excited entrance channel being significantly faster than the collision rate predicted by Langevin theory. A classical capture model was developed taking into account the charge permanent-quadrupole intermolecular force and was found to reproduce the observed rate. The implied near unit reaction probability was rationalised by a near electronic resonance of entrance and product channels. A detailed description of the implementation of the ion-neutral hybrid trap is given. A thorough comparison of the results from state-of-the-art experiments and theory reveals general features of light assisted cold ion-neutral reactions. \n
In order to study ultracold charge-transfer processes in hybrid atom-ion traps, we have mapped out the potential-energy curves and molecular parameters for several low-lying states of the Rb, Yb+{}^{+}+ system. We employ both a multireference configuration interaction and a full configuration interaction (FCI) approach. Turning points, crossing points, potential minima, and spectroscopic molecular constants are obtained for the lowest five molecular states. Long-range parameters, including the dispersion coefficients, are estimated from our ab initio data. The separated-atom ionization potentials and atomic polarizability of the ytterbium atom (${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{d}=128.4$ atomic units) are in good agreement with experiment and previous calculations. We present some dynamical calculations for (adiabatic) scattering lengths for the two lowest (Yb, Rb+{}^{+}+) channels that were carried out in our work. However, we find that the pseudopotential approximation is rather limited in validity and only applies to nK temperatures. The adiabatic scattering lengths for both the triplet and singlet channels indicate that both are large and negative in the FCI approximation.
Collisions of ultracold Ba + ions on a Rb Bose–Einstein condensate have been suggested as a possible benchmark system for ultracold ion-neutral collision experiments. However, a priori knowledge of the possible processes is desirable. For this purpose, we here present high-level four-component coupled cluster and multi-reference configuration interaction calculations of potential energy curves, dipole moments and spectroscopic constants of the experimentally interesting low-lying electronic states of the (RbBa) + molecule. Our results show significant avoided crossings between the Rb + Ba + entrance channels and low-lying charge transfer states of the Rb + and Ba ( 3 D) atomic channels, indicating that a fast non-radiative charge transfer is possible. Population analysis shows that a partially covalent polar bond is formed in the ground state, which thus deviates significantly from a pure Rb + + Ba interaction. This finding is corroborated by the electric dipole moment which is found only to be 4.5 D at the equilibrium bond distance, compared with the 14 D for a pure Rb + + Ba interaction, thereby supporting the view of a partial charge transfer between the two atoms.
Radiative emission during cold collisions between trapped laser-cooled Rb atoms and alkaline-earth ions (Ca+^++, Sr+^++, Ba+^++) and Yb+^++, and between Li and Yb+^++, are studied theoretically, using accurate effective-core-potential based quantum chemistry calculations of potential energy curves and transition dipole moments of the related molecular ions. Radiative association of molecular ions is predicted to occur for all systems with a cross section two to ten times larger than the radiative charge transfer one. Partial and total rate constants are also calculated and compared to available experiments. Narrow shape resonances are expected, which could be detectable at low temperature with an experimental resolution at the limit of the present standards. Vibrational distributions are also calculated, showing that the final molecular ions are not created in their ground state level.