Theory of Combined Photoassociation and Feshbach Resonances in a Bose-Einstein Condensate

We model combined photoassociation and Feshbach resonances in a Bose-Einstein condensate, where the shared dissociation continuum allows for quantum interference in losses from the condensate, as well as a dispersive-like shift of resonance. A simple analytical model, based on the limit of weakly bound molecules, agrees well with numerical experiments that explicitly include dissociation to noncondensate modes. For a resonant laser and an off-resonant magnetic field, constructive interference enables saturation of the photoassociation rate at user-friendly intensities, at a value set by the interparticle distance. This rate limit is larger for smaller condensate densities and, near the Feshbach resonance, approaches the rate limit for magnetoassociation alone. Also, we find agreement with the unitary limit--set by the condensate size--only for a limited range of near-resonant magnetic fields. Finally, for a resonant magnetic field and an off-resonant laser, magnetoassociation displays similar quantum interference and a dispersive-like shift. Unlike photoassociation, interference and the fieldshift in resonant magnetoassociation is tunable with both laser intensity and detuning. Also, the dispersive-like shift of the Feshbach resonance depends on the size of the Feshbach molecule, and is a signature of non-universal physics in a strongly interacting system.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, 82 reference

Atom-molecule coherence in a one-dimensional system

We study a model of one-dimensional fermionic atoms that can bind in pairs to form bosonic molecules. We show that at low energy, a coherence develops between the molecule and fermion Luttinger liquids. At the same time, a gap opens in the spin excitation spectrum. The coherence implies that the order parameters for the molecular Bose-Einstein Condensation and the atomic BCS pairing become identical. Moreover, both bosonic and fermionic charge density wave correlations decay exponentially, in contrast with a usual Luttinger liquid. We exhibit a Luther-Emery point where the systems can be described in terms of noninteracting pseudofermions. At this point, we provide closed form expressions for the density-density response functions.Comment: 5 pages, no figures, Revtex 4; (v2) added a reference to cond-mat/0505681 where related results are reported; (v3) Expression of correlation functions given in terms of generalized hypergeometric function

Hormone replacement therapy after surgery for stage 1 or 2 cutaneous melanoma

A total of 206 women were followed for a minimum of 5 years after primary melanoma surgery to establish if hormone replacement therapy (HRT) adversely affected prognosis. In all, 123 had no HRT and 22 have died of melanoma; 83 had HRT for varying periods and one has died of melanoma. After controlling for known prognostic factors, we conclude that HRT after melanoma does not adversely affect prognosis

Superposition of macroscopic numbers of atoms and molecules

We theoretically examine photoassociation of a non-ideal Bose-Einstein condensate, focusing on evidence for a macroscopic superposition of atoms and molecules. This problem raises an interest because, rather than two states of a given object, an atom-molecule system is a seemingly impossible macroscopic superposition of different objects. Nevertheless, photoassociation enables coherent intraparticle conversion, and we thereby propose a viable scheme for creating a superposition of a macroscopic number of atoms with a macroscopic number of molecules.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figs, to appear in Phys. Rev. Let