6 research outputs found
Multichannel quantum-defect theory for ultracold atom-ion collisions
We develop an analytical model for ultracold atom-ion collisions using the
multichannel quantum-defect formalism. The model is based on the analytical
solutions of the r^-4 long-range potential and on the application of a frame
transformation between asymptotic and molecular bases. This approach allows the
description of the atom-ion interaction in the ultracold domain in terms of
three parameters only: the singlet and triplet scattering lengths, assumed to
be independent of the relative motion angular momentum, and the lead dispersion
coefficient of the asymptotic potential. We also introduce corrections to the
scattering lengths that improve the accuracy of our quantum-defect model for
higher order partial waves, a particularly important result for an accurate
description of shape and Feshbach resonances at finite temperature. The theory
is applied to the system composed of a 40Ca+ ion and a Na atom, and compared to
numerical coupled-channel calculations carried out using ab initio potentials.
For this particular system, we investigate the spectrum of bound states, the
rate of charge-transfer processes, and the collision rates in the presence of
magnetic Feshbach resonances at zero and finite temperature.Comment: 39 pages, 21 figure