Modified effective-range theory for low energy e-N2 scattering

We analyze the low-energy e-N2 collisions within the framework of the Modified-Effective Range Theory (MERT) for the long-range potentials, developed by O'Malley, Spruch and Rosenberg [Journal of Math. Phys. 2, 491 (1961)]. In comparison to the traditional MERT we do not expand the total cross-section in the series of the incident momentum \hbar k, but instead we apply the exact analytical solutions of the Schroedinger equation for the long-range polarization potential, as proposed in the original formulation of O'Malley et al. This extends the applicability of MERT up to few eV regime, as we confirm using some simplified model potential of the electron-molecule interaction. The parameters of the effective-range expansion (i.e. the scattering length and the effective range) are determined from experimental, integral elastic cross sections in the 0.1 - 1.0 eV energy range by fitting procedure. Surprisingly, our treatment predicts a shape resonance that appears slightly higher than experimentally well known resonance in the total cross section. Agreement with the experimentally observed shape-resonance can be improved by assuming the position of the resonance in a given partial wave. Influence of the quadrupole potential on resonances is also discussed: we show that it can be disregarded for N2. In conclusion, the modified-effective range formalism treating the long-range part of the potential in an exact way, reproduces well both the very low-energy behavior of the integral cross section as well as the presence of resonances in the few eV range.Comment: 9 pages, LaTex, 4 eps figures, EPJ style; extended and upgraded version of arXiv:0708.2991, now considering only e-N2 scatterin

Universal rate constants for reactive collisions of ultracold molecules

A simple quantum defect model gives analytic expressions for the complex scattering length and threshold collision rates of ultracold molecules. If the probability of reaction in the short-range part of the collision is high, the model gives universal rate constants for s- and p-wave collisions that are independent of short-range dynamics. This model explains the magnitudes of the recently measured rate constants for collisions of two ultracold 40K87Rb molecules, or an ultracold 40K atom with the 40K87Rb molecule [Ospelkaus et al., Science 327, 853 (2010)].Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; v2: final version, accepted for publication in Physical Review Letter

Quantum reactive scattering in the long-range ion-dipole potential

An ion and a polar molecule interact by an anisotropic ion-dipole potential scaling as $- \alpha \cos (\theta)/r^2$ at large distances. Due to its long-range character, it modifies the properties of angular wave functions, which are no longer given by spherical harmonics. In addition, an effective centrifugal potential in the radial equation can become attractive for low angular momenta. In this paper, we develop a general framework for an ion-dipole reactive scattering, focusing on the regime of large $\alpha$. We introduce modified spherical harmonics as solutions of the angular part of the Schr\"odinger equation and derive several useful approximations in the limit of large $\alpha$. We present a formula for the scattering amplitude expressed in terms of the modified spherical harmonics and we derive expressions for the elastic and reactive collision rates. The solutions of the radial equation are given by Bessel functions, and we analyse their behaviour in two distinct regimes corresponding, basically, to attractive and repulsive long-range centrifugal potentials. Finally, we study reactive collisions in the universal regime, where the short-range probability of loss or reaction is equal to unity.Comment: 19 pages, 11 figures, 5 appendice