Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

APS

Three-body non-additive forces between spin-polarized alkali atoms and atom-diatom collisions in ultracold alkali gases.

Jeremy M. Hutson, Pavel Soldán, Marko T. Cvitaš

Published May 1, 2003• 0 citations
OpenAlex

Related papers

Ultracold three-body collisions of H with alkali atoms

James R. Macdonald Labs

•May 1, 2006•0 citations

Ultracold three-body collisions of H with alkali atoms

Yujun Wang, Jianjun Hua, José Paulo D'Incao +1 more

Bulletin of the American Physical Society•May 17, 2006•0 citations

Exploring elastic three-body scattering in ultracold alkali-metal gases

Kersbergen, Pim J.P.

•Aug 1, 2025•0 citations

Molecular collisions in ultracold atomic gases

Jeremy M. Hutson, Pavel Soldán

It has recently become possible to form molecules in ultracold gases of trapped alkali metal atoms. Once formed, the molecules may undergo elastic, inelastic and reactive collisions. Inelastic and reactive collisions are particularly important because they release kinetic energy and eject atoms and molecules from the trap. The theory needed to handle such collisions is presented and recent quantum dynamics calculations on ultracold atom–diatom collisions of spin-polarized Li + Li2, Na + Na2 and K + K2 are described. All these systems have potential energy surfaces on which barrierless atom exchange reactions can occur, and both inelastic and reactive rates are very fast (typically k inel > 10-10 cm3 s−1 in the Wigner regime).

arXiv:physics/0610219•International Reviews in Physical Chemistry•Jan 1, 2007•87 citations

Complexes formed in collisions between ultracold alkali-metal diatomic molecules and atoms

Matthew D. Frye, Jeremy M. Hutson

Abstract We explore the properties of three-atom complexes of alkali-metal diatomic molecules with alkali-metal atoms, which may be formed in ultracold collisions. We estimate the densities of vibrational states at the energy of atom–diatom collisions, and find values ranging from 2.2 to 350 K−1. However, this density does not account for electronic near-degeneracy or electron and nuclear spins. We consider the fine and hyperfine structure expected for such complexes. The Fermi contact interaction between electron and nuclear spins can cause spin exchange between atomic and molecular spins. It can drive inelastic collisions, with resonances of three distinct types, each with a characteristic width and peak height in the inelastic rate coefficient. Some of these resonances are broad enough to overlap and produce a background loss rate that is approximately proportional to the number of outgoing inelastic channels. Spin exchange can increase the density of states from which laser-induced loss may occur.

arXiv:2109.07435•New Journal of Physics•Dec 1, 2021•22 citations

Impact of Heavy Noble Gases on the Magnetic Resonance Linewidth of Alkali-Metal Atoms: A Theoretical Study

Feng Tang, Kaiming Yan, Nan Zhao

Nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscopes (NMRGs) employ noble-gas nuclear spins as inertial sensors and alkali-metal atoms as in-situ magnetometers. Heavy noble gases, particularly xenon, are widely used due to their large nuclear spin and strong spin-exchange coupling with alkali-metal atoms. However, their presence introduces additional collisional mechanisms that affect the alkali-metal magnetic resonance linewidth, thereby influencing magnetometer sensitivity and overall gyro performance. In this work, we develop a theoretical framework based on the density matrix formalism and master equation approach to quantitatively study how xenon-induced two-body and three-body interactions modify the linewidth of alkali-metal atoms under realistic NMRG conditions. Our analysis reveals that Xe atoms primarily broaden the linewidth via binary spindestruction collisions and van der Waals (vdW)-mediated F-damping processes, while the effect of Xe nuclear polarization is negligible at the ~1% level. We further demonstrate that nitrogen buffer gas plays a dual role: it directly contributes to alkali-metal spin relaxation through binary collisions and indirectly modulates vdW collision rates by altering molecular lifetimes. The interplay between these processes leads to an optimal nitrogen density that minimizes the linewidth. Additionally, we identify a temperature threshold above which light-narrowing emerges, with this threshold increasing alongside Xe density. These findings provide theoretical insight for optimizing spin relaxation control in alkali-metal magnetometers and improving NMRG performance.

arXiv:2506.19249•Jun 24, 2025•0 citations
It has recently become possible to form molecules in ultracold gases of trapped alkali metal atoms. Once formed, the molecules may undergo elastic, inelastic and reactive collisions. Inelastic and reactive collisions are particularly important because they release kinetic energy and eject atoms and molecules from the trap. The theory needed to handle such collisions is presented and recent quantum dynamics calculations on ultracold atom–diatom collisions of spin-polarized Li + Li2, Na + Na2 and K + K2 are described. All these systems have potential energy surfaces on which barrierless atom exchange reactions can occur, and both inelastic and reactive rates are very fast (typically k inel > 10-10 cm3 s−1 in the Wigner regime).
Abstract We explore the properties of three-atom complexes of alkali-metal diatomic molecules with alkali-metal atoms, which may be formed in ultracold collisions. We estimate the densities of vibrational states at the energy of atom–diatom collisions, and find values ranging from 2.2 to 350 K−1. However, this density does not account for electronic near-degeneracy or electron and nuclear spins. We consider the fine and hyperfine structure expected for such complexes. The Fermi contact interaction between electron and nuclear spins can cause spin exchange between atomic and molecular spins. It can drive inelastic collisions, with resonances of three distinct types, each with a characteristic width and peak height in the inelastic rate coefficient. Some of these resonances are broad enough to overlap and produce a background loss rate that is approximately proportional to the number of outgoing inelastic channels. Spin exchange can increase the density of states from which laser-induced loss may occur.
Nuclear magnetic resonance gyroscopes (NMRGs) employ noble-gas nuclear spins as inertial sensors and alkali-metal atoms as in-situ magnetometers. Heavy noble gases, particularly xenon, are widely used due to their large nuclear spin and strong spin-exchange coupling with alkali-metal atoms. However, their presence introduces additional collisional mechanisms that affect the alkali-metal magnetic resonance linewidth, thereby influencing magnetometer sensitivity and overall gyro performance. In this work, we develop a theoretical framework based on the density matrix formalism and master equation approach to quantitatively study how xenon-induced two-body and three-body interactions modify the linewidth of alkali-metal atoms under realistic NMRG conditions. Our analysis reveals that Xe atoms primarily broaden the linewidth via binary spindestruction collisions and van der Waals (vdW)-mediated F-damping processes, while the effect of Xe nuclear polarization is negligible at the ~1% level. We further demonstrate that nitrogen buffer gas plays a dual role: it directly contributes to alkali-metal spin relaxation through binary collisions and indirectly modulates vdW collision rates by altering molecular lifetimes. The interplay between these processes leads to an optimal nitrogen density that minimizes the linewidth. Additionally, we identify a temperature threshold above which light-narrowing emerges, with this threshold increasing alongside Xe density. These findings provide theoretical insight for optimizing spin relaxation control in alkali-metal magnetometers and improving NMRG performance.