Collisions in a dual-species magneto-optical trap of molecules and atoms
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Published version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
We study inelastic collisions between CaF molecules and ⁸⁷Rb atoms in a dual-species magneto-optical trap. The presence of atoms increases the loss rate of molecules from the trap. By measuring the loss rates and density distributions, we determine a collisional loss rate coefficient k₂ = (1.43 ± 0.29) × 10‾¹⁰cm³/s at a temperature of 2.4 mK. We show that this is not substantially changed by light-induced collisions or by varying the populations of excited-state atoms and molecules. The observed loss rate is close to the universal rate expected in the presence of fast loss at short range, and can be explained by rotation-changing collisions in the ground electronic state.
Date Issued
2021-07-08
Date Acceptance
2021-06-18
Citation
New Journal of Physics, 2021, 23 (7)
ISSN
1367-2630
Publisher
Institute of Physics (IoP) and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft
Journal / Book Title
New Journal of Physics
Volume
23
Issue
7
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd on behalf of theInstitute of Physics and Deutsche Physikalische Gesellschaft. Original content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
License URL
Sponsor
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (E
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC)
Grant Number
RF040529
EP/V011499/1
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Physics
laser-cooled molecules
cold collisions
cold chemistry
COLD
LOSSES
02 Physical Sciences
Fluids & Plasmas
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 075004