253 research outputs found
Creating Ground State Molecules with Optical Feshbach Resonances in Tight Traps
We propose to create ultracold ground state molecules in an atomic
Bose-Einstein condensate by adiabatic crossing of an optical Feshbach
resonance. We envision a scheme where the laser intensity and possibly also
frequency are linearly ramped over the resonance. Our calculations for
Rb show that for sufficiently tight traps it is possible to avoid
spontaneous emission while retaining adiabaticity, and conversion efficiencies
of up to 50% can be expected
Study of coupled states for the (4s^{2})^{1}S + (4s4p)^{3}P asymptote of Ca_{2}
The coupled states A^{1}\Sigma_{u}^{+} (^{1}D +}1}S), c^{3}\Pi_{u} (^{3}P +
^{1}S) and a^{3}\Sigma_{u}^{+} (^{3}P +}1}S) of the calcium dimer are
investigated in a laser induced fluorescence experiment combined with
high-resolution Fourier-transform spectroscopy. A global deperturbation
analysis of the observed levels, considering a model, which is complete within
the subspace of relevant neighboring states, is performed using the Fourier
Grid Hamiltonian method. We determine the potential energy curve of the
A^{1}\Sigma_{u}^{+} and c^{3}\Pi_{u} states and the strengths of the couplings
between them. The c^{3}\Pi_{u} and \as states are of particular importance for
the description of collisional processes between calcium atoms in the ground
state ^{1}S_{0} and excited state ^{3}P_{1} applied in studies for establishing
an optical frequency standard with Ca.Comment: 15 pages, 12 figure
Calculation of accurate permanent dipole moments of the lowest states of heteronuclear alkali dimers using extended basis sets
The obtention of ultracold samples of dipolar molecules is a current
challenge which requires an accurate knowledge of their electronic properties
to guide the ongoing experiments. In this paper, we systematically investigate
the ground state and the lowest triplet state of mixed alkali dimers (involving
Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) using a standard quantum chemistry approach based on
pseudopotentials for atomic core representation, gaussian basis sets, and
effective terms for core polarization effects. We emphasize on the convergence
of the results for permanent dipole moments regarding the size of the gaussian
basis set, and we discuss their predicted accuracy by comparing to other
theoretical calculations or available experimental values. We also revisit the
difficulty to compare computed potential curves among published papers, due to
the differences in the modelization of core-core interaction.Comment: accepted to J. Chem. Phy
Strain monitoring of tapestries: results of a three-year research project
The outcomes of an interdisciplinary research project between conservators and engineers investigating the strain experienced by different areas of a tapestry are described. Two techniques were used: full-field monitoring using digital image correlation (DIC) and point measurements using optical fibre sensors. Results showed that it is possible to quantify the global strain across a discrete area of a tapestry using DIC; optical fibre and other sensors were used to validate the DIC. Strain maps created by the DIC depict areas of high and low strain and can be overlaid on images of the tapestry, creating a useful visual tool for conservators, custodians and the general public. DIC identifies areas of high strain not obvious to the naked eye. The equipment can be used in situ in a historic house. In addition the work demonstrated the close relationship between relative humidity and strain
Influence of a Feshbach resonance on the photoassociation of LiCs
We analyse the formation of ultracold 7Li133Cs molecules in the rovibrational
ground state through photoassociation into the B1Pi state, which has recently
been reported [J. Deiglmayr et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 133004 (2008)].
Absolute rate constants for photoassociation at large detunings from the atomic
asymptote are determined and are found to be surprisingly large. The
photoassociation process is modeled using a full coupled-channel calculation
for the continuum state, taking all relevant hyperfine states into account. The
enhancement of the photoassociation rate is found to be caused by an `echo' of
the triplet component in the singlet component of the scattering wave function
at the inner turning point of the lowest triplet a3Sigma+ potential. This
perturbation can be ascribed to the existence of a broad Feshbach resonance at
low scattering energies. Our results elucidate the important role of couplings
in the scattering wave function for the formation of deeply bound ground state
molecules via photoassociation.Comment: Added Erratum, 20 pages, 9 figure
Thermal desorption characteristics of CO, O2 and CO2 on non-porous water, crystalline water and silicate surfaces at sub-monolayer and multilayer coverages
The desorption characteristics of molecules on interstellar dust grains are
important for modelling the behaviour of molecules in icy mantles and,
critically, in describing the solid-gas interface. In this study, a series of
laboratory experiments exploring the desorption of three small molecules from
three astrophysically relevant surfaces are presented. The desorption of CO, O2
and CO2 at both sub-monolayer and multilayer coverages was investigated from
non-porous water, crystalline water and silicate surfaces. Experimental data
was modelled using the Polanyi-Wigner equation to produce a mathematical
description of the desorption of each molecular species from each type of
surface, uniquely describing both the monolayer and multilayer desorption in a
single combined model. The implications of desorption behaviour over
astrophysically relevant timescales are discussed.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Monthly Notices of
the Royal Astronomical Society Main Journa
Electrostatic extraction of cold molecules from a cryogenic reservoir
We present a method which delivers a continuous, high-density beam of slow
and internally cold polar molecules. In our source, warm molecules are first
cooled by collisions with a cryogenic helium buffer gas. Cold molecules are
then extracted by means of an electrostatic quadrupole guide. For ND the
source produces fluxes up to molecules/s with
peak densities up to molecules/cm. For
HCO the population of rovibrational states is monitored by depletion
spectroscopy, resulting in single-state populations up to .Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, changes to the text, updated figures and
reference
Optimization of Generalized Multichannel Quantum Defect reference functions for Feshbach resonance characterization
This work stresses the importance of the choice of the set of reference
functions in the Generalized Multichannel Quantum Defect Theory to analyze the
location and the width of Feshbach resonance occurring in collisional
cross-sections. This is illustrated on the photoassociation of cold rubidium
atom pairs, which is also modeled using the Mapped Fourier Grid Hamiltonian
method combined with an optical potential. The specificity of the present
example lies in a high density of quasi-bound states (closed channel)
interacting with a dissociation continuum (open channel). We demonstrate that
the optimization of the reference functions leads to quantum defects with a
weak energy dependence across the relevant energy threshold. The main result of
our paper is that the agreement between the both theoretical approaches is
achieved only if optimized reference functions are used.Comment: submitte to Journal of Physics
Light-assisted ion-neutral reactive processes in the cold regime: radiative molecule formation vs. charge exchange
We present a combined experimental and theoretical study of cold reactive
collisions between laser-cooled Ca+ ions and Rb atoms in an ion-atom hybrid
trap. We observe rich chemical dynamics which are interpreted in terms of
non-adiabatic and radiative charge exchange as well as radiative molecule
formation using high-level electronic structure calculations. We study the role
of light-assisted processes and show that the efficiency of the dominant
chemical pathways is considerably enhanced in excited reaction channels. Our
results illustrate the importance of radiative and non-radiative processes for
the cold chemistry occurring in ion-atom hybrid traps.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure
- …