We derive the relativistic formulas for the van der Waals coefficients of Yb--alkali-metal dimers that correlate to ground and excited separated-atom limits. We calculate ${C}_{6}$ and ${C}_{8}$ coefficients of particular experimental interest. We also derive a semiempirical formula that expresses the ${C}_{8}$ coefficient of heteronuclear $A+B$ dimers in terms of the ${C}_{6}$ and ${C}_{8}$ coefficients of homonuclear dimers and the static dipole and quadrupole polarizabilities of the atomic states $A$ and $B$ . We report results of calculation of the ${C}_{6}$ coefficients for the Yb-Rb ${}^{3}{P}_{1}^{o}+5s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ and ${}^{1}{S}_{0}+5p{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{1/2}^{o}$ dimers, and the ${C}_{8}$ coefficients for the Yb-Li ${}^{1}{S}_{0}+2s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ and Yb-Rb ${}^{1}{S}_{0}+5s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ dimers. Uncertainties are estimated for all predicted properties.We derive the relativistic formulas for the van der Waals coefficients of Yb--alkali-metal dimers that correlate to ground and excited separated-atom limits. We calculate ${C}_{6}$ and ${C}_{8}$ coefficients of particular experimental interest. We also derive a semiempirical formula that expresses the ${C}_{8}$ coefficient of heteronuclear $A+B$ dimers in terms of the ${C}_{6}$ and ${C}_{8}$ coefficients of homonuclear dimers and the static dipole and quadrupole polarizabilities of the atomic states $A$ and $B$. We report results of calculation of the ${C}_{6}$ coefficients for the Yb-Rb ${}^{3}{P}_{1}^{o}+5s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ and ${}^{1}{S}_{0}+5p{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{1/2}^{o}$ dimers, and the ${C}_{8}$ coefficients for the Yb-Li ${}^{1}{S}_{0}+2s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ and Yb-Rb ${}^{1}{S}_{0}+5s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}$ dimers. Uncertainties are estimated for all predicted properties.

arXiv:1401.6585Physical Review AFeb 6, 201415 citations

Measurement of the van der Waals interaction between two atoms

Antoine Browaeys

Aug 25, 20130 citations

We derive the relativistic formulas for the van der Waals coefficients of Yb--alkali-metal dimers that correlate to ground and excited separated-atom limits. We calculate

{C}_{6}

and

{C}_{8}

coefficients of particular experimental interest. We also derive a semiempirical formula that expresses the

{C}_{8}

coefficient of heteronuclear

A+B

dimers in terms of the

{C}_{6}

and

{C}_{8}

coefficients of homonuclear dimers and the static dipole and quadrupole polarizabilities of the atomic states

A

and

B

. We report results of calculation of the

{C}_{6}

coefficients for the Yb-Rb

{}^{3}{P}_{1}^{o}+5s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}

and

{}^{1}{S}_{0}+5p{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{1/2}^{o}

dimers, and the

{C}_{8}

coefficients for the Yb-Li

{}^{1}{S}_{0}+2s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}

and Yb-Rb

{}^{1}{S}_{0}+5s{\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{S}_{1/2}

dimers. Uncertainties are estimated for all predicted properties.