Radiative coupling of atoms into a molecule by slow collisions in a laser field

M. Ya. Agre, Л. П. Рапопорт

M. Ya. Agre, Л. П. Рапопорт

A. Jacob, C. Müller, Alexander B Voitkiv

It is generally assumed that for ionization processes, which occur in slow atomic collisions, the coupling of the colliding system to the quantum radiation field is irrelevant. Here we show, however, that -- contrary to expectations -- such a coupling can strongly influence ionization of a beam of atomic species A slowly traversing a gas of atomic species B excited by a weak laser field. Moreover, this coupling becomes even more important when the collision velocity increases, getting comparable or exceeding the typical electron orbiting velocities in A and B. Our results imply furthermore that the Breit interaction can, in fact, dominate over the Coulomb interaction at very low energies.

E. A. Gazazyan, A. D. Gazazyan, V. O. Chaltykyan

Resonant scattering of atoms with formation of the Feshbach resonance in the presence of a laser radiation coupling the levels of two bound atoms (a molecule) is considered. The laser field leads to a second resonance in scattering and broadening of resonances, which facilitates the possibility of experimental observation of asymmetry of the total scattering cross-section arising because of interference between resonant and potential scatterings. The effects associated with interference of the two channels of decay of a bound system of two atoms (a molecule) in the laser field are studied. An expression is obtained for the scattering length in collision of two cold atoms in the field of laser radiation.

S. P. Goreslavskiǐ, B. P. Kraǐnov

Man Mohan, Vinod Prasad