We have observed the spectrum of long range molecular states of singly excited ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ formed by photoassociation during ultracold associative ionization collisions of laser-cooled Na atoms. The low kinetic energy of the collision allows us to obtain very high resolution spectra and to observe states close to the dissociation limit. The spectrum shows regular vibrational series characteristic of the 1/ ${\mathit{R}}^{3}$ long range portion of the ${1}_{\mathit{g}}$ potential (asymptotically ${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$ + ${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$ ) as well as molecular hyperfine structure within these peaks. We extract potential parameters and compare with recent theory.We have observed the spectrum of long range molecular states of singly excited ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ formed by photoassociation during ultracold associative ionization collisions of laser-cooled Na atoms. The low kinetic energy of the collision allows us to obtain very high resolution spectra and to observe states close to the dissociation limit. The spectrum shows regular vibrational series characteristic of the 1/${\mathit{R}}^{3}$ long range portion of the ${1}_{\mathit{g}}$ potential (asymptotically ${\mathit{S}}_{1/2}$+${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$) as well as molecular hyperfine structure within these peaks. We extract potential parameters and compare with recent theory.

Physical Review LettersOct 4, 1993227 citations

Ultracold collisions between Li atoms and Li2 diatoms in high vibrational states

Goulven Quéméner, Jean–Michel Launay, Pascal Honvault

We have performed a quantum-dynamical study of vibrational deexcitation and elastic scattering at ultralow collision energies for the bosonic system $^{7}\mathrm{Li}+^{7}\mathrm{Li}_{2}$ and for the fermionic system $^{6}\mathrm{Li}+^{6}\mathrm{Li}_{2}$ with diatomic molecules in high vibrational states. Inelastic rates show a strong and irregular dependence on the vibrational state of the diatomic molecule. For the highest vibrational state which lies near the dissociation limit, vibrational deexcitation processes are not suppressed, but rather depleted, for both bosonic and fermionic systems.We have performed a quantum-dynamical study of vibrational deexcitation and elastic scattering at ultralow collision energies for the bosonic system $^{7}\mathrm{Li}+^{7}\mathrm{Li}_{2}$ and for the fermionic system $^{6}\mathrm{Li}+^{6}\mathrm{Li}_{2}$ with diatomic molecules in high vibrational states. Inelastic rates show a strong and irregular dependence on the vibrational state of the diatomic molecule. For the highest vibrational state which lies near the dissociation limit, vibrational deexcitation processes are not suppressed, but rather depleted, for both bosonic and fermionic systems.

Physical Review AMay 25, 200748 citations

Dissociative ionization of sodium molecules via repulsive Rydberg states

Hong Chen

Jan 1, 20060 citations

We have observed the spectrum of long range molecular states of singly excited

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}

formed by photoassociation during ultracold associative ionization collisions of laser-cooled Na atoms. The low kinetic energy of the collision allows us to obtain very high resolution spectra and to observe states close to the dissociation limit. The spectrum shows regular vibrational series characteristic of the 1/

{\mathit{R}}^{3}

long range portion of the

{1}_{\mathit{g}}

potential (asymptotically

{\mathit{S}}_{1/2}

{\mathit{P}}_{3/2}

) as well as molecular hyperfine structure within these peaks. We extract potential parameters and compare with recent theory.

We have performed a quantum-dynamical study of vibrational deexcitation and elastic scattering at ultralow collision energies for the bosonic system

^{7}\mathrm{Li}+^{7}\mathrm{Li}_{2}

and for the fermionic system

^{6}\mathrm{Li}+^{6}\mathrm{Li}_{2}

with diatomic molecules in high vibrational states. Inelastic rates show a strong and irregular dependence on the vibrational state of the diatomic molecule. For the highest vibrational state which lies near the dissociation limit, vibrational deexcitation processes are not suppressed, but rather depleted, for both bosonic and fermionic systems.