The collisional stability of ultracold polar molecules in electrostatic traps is considered. Rate constants for collisions that drive molecules from weak-electric-field-seeking to strong-field-seeking states are estimated using a simple model that emphasizes long-range dipolar forces. The rate constants for collisional losses are found to vary substantially as a function of molecular parameters used in the model, such as dipole moment, mass, and the splitting of the molecular $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ doublet. Varying these parameters over physically reasonable ranges yields rate constants as low as ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}20} {\mathrm{cm}}^{3}/\mathrm{sec}$ and as high as ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10} {\mathrm{cm}}^{3}/\mathrm{sec}.$ Nevertheless, the loss rates rise dramatically in the presence of the externally applied trapping electric field. For this reason it is argued that electrostatic traps are likely to be less stable against collisional losses than their magnetic counterparts.The collisional stability of ultracold polar molecules in electrostatic traps is considered. Rate constants for collisions that drive molecules from weak-electric-field-seeking to strong-field-seeking states are estimated using a simple model that emphasizes long-range dipolar forces. The rate constants for collisional losses are found to vary substantially as a function of molecular parameters used in the model, such as dipole moment, mass, and the splitting of the molecular $\ensuremath{\Lambda}$ doublet. Varying these parameters over physically reasonable ranges yields rate constants as low as ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}20} {\mathrm{cm}}^{3}/\mathrm{sec}$ and as high as ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}10} {\mathrm{cm}}^{3}/\mathrm{sec}.$ Nevertheless, the loss rates rise dramatically in the presence of the externally applied trapping electric field. For this reason it is argued that electrostatic traps are likely to be less stable against collisional losses than their magnetic counterparts.

arXiv:physics/0008017Physical Review AApr 17, 200180 citations

Simple treatment of ultracold polar molecule collisions

John L. Bohn, Goulven Quéméner, Zbigniew Idziaszek +1 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 28, 20100 citations

Collisional dynamics of ultracold OH molecules in an electrostatic field

А. V. Avdeenkov, John L. Bohn

Ultracold collisions of polar OH molecules are considered in the presence of an electrostatic field. The field exerts a strong influence on both elastic and state-changing inelastic collision rate constants, leading to clear experimental signatures that should help disentangle the theory of cold molecule collisions. Based on the collision rates, we discuss the prospects for evaporative cooling of electrostatically trapped OH. We also find that the scattering properties at ultralow temperatures prove to be remarkably independent of the details of the short-range interaction, owing to avoided crossings in the long-range adiabatic potential curves. The behavior of the scattering rate constants is qualitatively understood in terms of a novel set of long-range states of the $[\mathrm{OH}{]}_{2}$ dimer.Ultracold collisions of polar OH molecules are considered in the presence of an electrostatic field. The field exerts a strong influence on both elastic and state-changing inelastic collision rate constants, leading to clear experimental signatures that should help disentangle the theory of cold molecule collisions. Based on the collision rates, we discuss the prospects for evaporative cooling of electrostatically trapped OH. We also find that the scattering properties at ultralow temperatures prove to be remarkably independent of the details of the short-range interaction, owing to avoided crossings in the long-range adiabatic potential curves. The behavior of the scattering rate constants is qualitatively understood in terms of a novel set of long-range states of the $[\mathrm{OH}{]}_{2}$ dimer.

arXiv:physics/0203089Physical Review ANov 22, 2002103 citations

Dynamics of ultracold molecules in confined geometry and electric field

Goulven Quéméner, John L. Bohn

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyJun 14, 20115 citations

Trapping of Ultracold Polar Molecules with a Thin-Wire Electrostatic Trap

Jan Kleinert, Christopher Haimberger, Patrick Zabawa +1 more

We describe the realization of a dc electric-field trap for ultracold polar molecules, the thin-wire electrostatic trap (TWIST). The thin wires that form the electrodes of the TWIST allow us to superimpose the trap onto a magneto-optical trap (MOT). In our experiment, ultracold polar NaCs molecules in their electronic ground state are created in the MOT via photoassociation, achieving a continuous accumulation in the TWIST of molecules in low-field seeking states. Initial measurements show that the TWIST trap lifetime is limited only by the background pressure in the chamber.We describe the realization of a dc electric-field trap for ultracold polar molecules, the thin-wire electrostatic trap (TWIST). The thin wires that form the electrodes of the TWIST allow us to superimpose the trap onto a magneto-optical trap (MOT). In our experiment, ultracold polar NaCs molecules in their electronic ground state are created in the MOT via photoassociation, achieving a continuous accumulation in the TWIST of molecules in low-field seeking states. Initial measurements show that the TWIST trap lifetime is limited only by the background pressure in the chamber.

arXiv:0707.2015Physical Review LettersOct 4, 200747 citations

[\mathrm{OH}{]}_{2}

dimer.