Energetics of a strongly correlated Fermi gas

The energy of the two-component Fermi gas with the s-wave contact interaction is a simple linear functional of its momentum distribution: E_\text{internal}=\hbar^2\Omega C/4\pi am+\sum_{\vect k\sigma}(\hbar^2 k^2/2m)(n_{\vect k\sigma}-C/k^4) where the external potential energy is not included, $a$ is the scattering length, $\Omega$ is the volume, n_{\vect k\sigma} is the average number of fermions with wave vector \vect k and spin $\sigma$, and C\equiv\lim_{\vect k\to\infty} k^4 n_{\vect k\up} =\lim_{\vect k\to\infty} k^4 n_{\vect k\down}. This result is a \textit{universal identity}. Its proof is facilitated by a novel mathematical idea, which might be of utility in dealing with ultraviolet divergences in quantum field theories. Other properties of this Fermi system, including the short-range structure of the one-body reduced density matrix and the pair correlation function, and the dimer-fermion scattering length, are also studied.Comment: 28 pages, 1 figur

Atom-dimer scattering length for fermions with different masses: analytical study of limiting cases

We consider the problem of obtaining the scattering length for a fermion colliding with a dimer, formed from a fermion identical to the incident one and another different fermion. This is done in the universal regime where the range of interactions is short enough so that the scattering length $a$ for non identical fermions is the only relevant quantity. This is the generalization to fermions with different masses of the problem solved long ago by Skorniakov and Ter-Martirosian for particles with equal masses. We solve this problem analytically in the two limiting cases where the mass of the solitary fermion is very large or very small compared to the mass of the two other identical fermions. This is done both for the value of the scattering length and for the function entering the Skorniakov-Ter-Martirosian integral equation, for which simple explicit expressions are obtained.Comment: Very simple form for the solution added; conclusion adde

Three-body Recombination of Lithium-6 Atoms with Large Negative Scattering Lengths

The 3-body recombination rate at threshold for distinguishable atoms with large negative pair scattering lengths is calculated in the zero-range approximation. The only parameters in this limit are the 3 scattering lengths and the Efimov parameter, which can be complex valued. We provide semi-analytic expressions for the cases of 2 or 3 equal scattering lengths and we obtain numerical results for the general case of 3 different scattering lengths. Our general result is applied to the three lowest hyperfine states of Lithium-6 atoms. Comparisons with recent experiments provide indications of loss features associated with Efimov trimers near the 3-atom threshold.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, agrees with published versio

Efimov Physics in 6Li Atoms

A new narrow 3-atom loss resonance associated with an Efimov trimer crossing the 3-atom threshold has recently been discovered in a many-body system of ultracold 6Li atoms in the three lowest hyperfine spin states at a magnetic field near 895 G. O'Hara and coworkers have used measurements of the 3-body recombination rate in this region to determine the complex 3-body parameter associated with Efimov physics. Using this parameter as the input, we calculate the universal predictions for the spectrum of Efimov states and for the 3-body recombination rate in the universal region above 600 G where all three scattering lengths are large. We predict an atom-dimer loss resonance at (672 +/- 2) G associated with an Efimov trimer disappearing through an atom-dimer threshold. We also predict an interference minimum in the 3-body recombination rate at (759 +/- 1) G where the 3-spin mixture may be sufficiently stable to allow experimental study of the many-body system.Comment: 27 pages, 9 figures, REVTeX4, published versio

Fermi-Polaron: Diagrammatic Monte Carlo for Divergent Sign-Alternating Series

Diagrammatic Monte Carlo approach is applied to a problem of a single spin-down fermion resonantly interacting with the sea of ideal spin-up fermions. On one hand, we develop a generic, sign-problem tolerant, method of exact numerical solution of polaron-type models. On the other hand, our solution is important for understanding the phase diagram and properties of the BCS-BEC crossover in the strongly imbalanced regime. This is the first, and possibly characteristic, example of how the Monte Carlo approach can be applied to a divergent sign-alternating diagrammatic series.Comment: 4 pages, 7 figure

Polaron to molecule transition in a strongly imbalanced Fermi gas

A single down spin Fermion with an attractive, zero range interaction with a Fermi sea of up-spin Fermions forms a polaronic quasiparticle. The associated quasiparticle weight vanishes beyond a critical strength of the attractive interaction, where a many-body bound state is formed. From a variational wavefunction in the molecular limit, we determine the critical value for the polaron to molecule transition. The value agrees well with the diagrammatic Monte Carlo results of Prokof'ev and Svistunov and is consistent with recent rf-spectroscopy measurements of the quasiparticle weight by Schirotzek et. al. In addition, we calculate the contact coefficient of the strongly imbalanced gas, using the adiabatic theorem of Tan and discuss the implications of the polaron to molecule transition for the phase diagram of the attractive Fermi gas at finite imbalance.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures, RevTex4, minor changes, references adde