We study the time-resolved photoassociation of ultracold sodium in an optical dipole trap. The photoassociation laser excites pairs of atoms to molecular states of large total angular momentum at high intensities (above $20\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kW}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ ). Such transitions are generally suppressed at ultracold temperatures by the centrifugal barriers for high partial waves. Time-resolved ionization measurements reveal that the atoms are accelerated by the dipole potential of the photoassociation beam. We change the collision energy by varying the potential depth, and observe a strong variation of the photoassociation rate. These results demonstrate the important role of light forces in cw photoassociation at high intensities.We study the time-resolved photoassociation of ultracold sodium in an optical dipole trap. The photoassociation laser excites pairs of atoms to molecular states of large total angular momentum at high intensities (above $20\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kW}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$). Such transitions are generally suppressed at ultracold temperatures by the centrifugal barriers for high partial waves. Time-resolved ionization measurements reveal that the atoms are accelerated by the dipole potential of the photoassociation beam. We change the collision energy by varying the potential depth, and observe a strong variation of the photoassociation rate. These results demonstrate the important role of light forces in cw photoassociation at high intensities.

arXiv:physics/0611175Physical Review AJan 26, 200713 citations

Fluctuations in the formation time of ultracold dimers from fermionic atoms

Hermann Uys, T. Miyakawa, D. Meiser +1 more

We investigate the temporal fluctuations characteristic of the formation of molecular dimers from ultracold fermionic atoms via Raman photoassociation. The quantum fluctuations inherent to the initial atomic state result in large fluctuations in the passage time from atoms to molecules. Assuming degeneracy of kinetic energies of atoms in the strong coupling limit, we find that a heuristic classical stochastic model yields qualitative agreement with the full quantum treatment in the initial stages of the dynamics. We also show that in contrast to the association of atoms into dimers, the reverse process of dissociation from a condensate of bosonic dimers exhibits little passage time fluctuations. Finally, we explore effects due to the nondegeneracy of atomic kinetic energies.We investigate the temporal fluctuations characteristic of the formation of molecular dimers from ultracold fermionic atoms via Raman photoassociation. The quantum fluctuations inherent to the initial atomic state result in large fluctuations in the passage time from atoms to molecules. Assuming degeneracy of kinetic energies of atoms in the strong coupling limit, we find that a heuristic classical stochastic model yields qualitative agreement with the full quantum treatment in the initial stages of the dynamics. We also show that in contrast to the association of atoms into dimers, the reverse process of dissociation from a condensate of bosonic dimers exhibits little passage time fluctuations. Finally, we explore effects due to the nondegeneracy of atomic kinetic energies.

arXiv:cond-mat/0412105Physical Review ANov 16, 200511 citations

PHOTOASSOCIATION OF ULTRACOLD ATOMS

Randall G. Hulet

Dalgarno Celebratory SymposiumNov 1, 20090 citations

Strong photoassociation in a degenerate fermi gas

Timur M. Rvachov, Alan O. Jamison, Jing Li +5 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 27, 20160 citations

20\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{kW}∕{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}

). Such transitions are generally suppressed at ultracold temperatures by the centrifugal barriers for high partial waves. Time-resolved ionization measurements reveal that the atoms are accelerated by the dipole potential of the photoassociation beam. We change the collision energy by varying the potential depth, and observe a strong variation of the photoassociation rate. These results demonstrate the important role of light forces in cw photoassociation at high intensities.