Near-Threshold Photoassociation of 87Rb2

Published

February 1, 2004

Author(s)

M Kemmann, R Mistrik, S Nussmann, H Helm, Carl J. Williams, Paul S. Julienne

Abstract

Photoassociation of cold 87Rb (5s, fb+2) atom pairs is studied within 15 GHz of the dissociation limits 87Rb(5p3/2, fa) + 87Rb(5s, fb =2). Vibrational levels in the long range, hyperfine-manifolds of the 0? and 1g states arising from the 87Rb(5p3/2)-fine structure limit are identified to lead to the formation of stable molecules in the photoassociation process. The vibrational bands are observed to break o, at positions matching the energetic location of potential energy barriers predicted in the hyperfine manifolds at about 1 and 2 GHz above the 87Rb(5p3/2, fa=3) + 87Rb(5s, fa=1) dissociation limit. Empiricial potential energy curves are derived from the data. These are found to be in good agreement with predictions based on the long-range hyperfine recoupling of the excited molecular states. The selectivity of the excitation process and predissociation mechanism are discussed.

Citation

Physical Review A (Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics)

Volume

69

Issue

No. 2

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

magneto-optical trap, photoassociation spectrum, ultra-cold atom, vibrational bands

Citation

Kemmann, M. , Mistrik, R. , Nussmann, S. , Helm, H. , Williams, C. and Julienne, P. (2004), Near-Threshold Photoassociation of ⁸⁷Rb₂, Physical Review A (Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics) (Accessed April 30, 2024)