Measurements of interactions between cold molecules and ultracold atoms can allow for a detailed understanding of fundamental collision processes. These measurements can be done using various experimental geometries, including where both species are in a beam, where one species is trapped, or when both species are trapped. Simultaneous trapping offers significantly longer interaction times and an associated increased sensitivity to rare collision events. However, there are significant practical challenges associated with combining atomic and molecular systems, which often have competing experimental requirements. Here, we describe in detail an experimental system that allows for studies of cold collisions between ultracold atoms and cold molecules in a dual trap, where the atoms and molecules are trapped using static magnetic and electric fields, respectively. As a demonstration of the system's capabilities, we study cold collisions between ammonia ( $^{14}\mathrm{ND}_{3}$ and $^{15}\mathrm{ND}_{3}$ ) molecules and rubidium ( $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ and $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ ) atoms.Measurements of interactions between cold molecules and ultracold atoms can allow for a detailed understanding of fundamental collision processes. These measurements can be done using various experimental geometries, including where both species are in a beam, where one species is trapped, or when both species are trapped. Simultaneous trapping offers significantly longer interaction times and an associated increased sensitivity to rare collision events. However, there are significant practical challenges associated with combining atomic and molecular systems, which often have competing experimental requirements. Here, we describe in detail an experimental system that allows for studies of cold collisions between ultracold atoms and cold molecules in a dual trap, where the atoms and molecules are trapped using static magnetic and electric fields, respectively. As a demonstration of the system's capabilities, we study cold collisions between ammonia ($^{14}\mathrm{ND}_{3}$ and $^{15}\mathrm{ND}_{3}$) molecules and rubidium ($^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ and $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$) atoms.

arXiv:2001.02317Physical Review AMar 16, 20209 citations

Ultra-cold Collisions

Harold J. Metcalf, P. van der Straten

Graduate texts in contemporary physicsJan 1, 19990 citations

Collisions of Ultracold Atoms in Optical Fields

Daniel J. Heinzen, D. J. Wineland, Carl Wieman +1 more

Two recent developments in ultracold atomic collision physics are discussed. The first is the “optical shielding” of ultracold atomic collisions by optical radiation that is tuned to the blue of an atomic resonance. This radiation couples a pair of colliding atoms to repulsive excited states and prevents their close approach. This effect may substantially suppress inelastic collision rates, and is an interesting example of the control of a cold collision process by a weak perturbing field. The second topic is ultracold atom photoassociation spectroscopy. In this work, high resolution free‐bound absorption spectra are obtained which provide detailed information on the long‐range states of the two interacting atoms. The physics of these states has an appealing simplicity, and in addition is of importance for a complete understanding of the effects of atomic interactions in cold atom experiments. The photoassociation spectra also provide a unique probe of cold collisions.Two recent developments in ultracold atomic collision physics are discussed. The first is the “optical shielding” of ultracold atomic collisions by optical radiation that is tuned to the blue of an atomic resonance. This radiation couples a pair of colliding atoms to repulsive excited states and prevents their close approach. This effect may substantially suppress inelastic collision rates, and is an interesting example of the control of a cold collision process by a weak perturbing field. The second topic is ultracold atom photoassociation spectroscopy. In this work, high resolution free‐bound absorption spectra are obtained which provide detailed information on the long‐range states of the two interacting atoms. The physics of these states has an appealing simplicity, and in addition is of importance for a complete understanding of the effects of atomic interactions in cold atom experiments. The photoassociation spectra also provide a unique probe of cold collisions.

AIP conference proceedingsJan 1, 19945 citations

^{14}\mathrm{ND}_{3}

and

^{15}\mathrm{ND}_{3}

) molecules and rubidium (

^{87}\mathrm{Rb}

and

^{85}\mathrm{Rb}

) atoms.