Tuning interactions between static-field-shielded polar molecules with microwaves
File(s)
Published version
Author(s)
Ho, Christopher
Dutta, Joy
Mukherjee, Bijit
Hutson, Jeremy M
Tarbutt, Michael R
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
The ability to tune interparticle interactions is one of the main advantages of using ultracold quantum gases for
quantum simulation of many-body physics. Current experiments with ultracold polar molecules employ shielding with microwave or static electric fields to prevent destructive collisional losses. The interaction potential of
microwave-shielded molecules can be tuned by using microwaves of two different polarizations, while for static-field-shielded molecules the tunability of interactions is more limited and depends on the particular species.
In this work, we propose a general method to tune the interactions between static-field-shielded molecules by
applying a microwave field. We carry out coupled-channel scattering calculations in a field-dressed basis set to
determine loss rate coefficients and scattering lengths. We find that both the s-wave scattering length and the
dipole length can be widely tuned by changing the parameters of the microwave field, while maintaining strong suppression of lossy collisions.
quantum simulation of many-body physics. Current experiments with ultracold polar molecules employ shielding with microwave or static electric fields to prevent destructive collisional losses. The interaction potential of
microwave-shielded molecules can be tuned by using microwaves of two different polarizations, while for static-field-shielded molecules the tunability of interactions is more limited and depends on the particular species.
In this work, we propose a general method to tune the interactions between static-field-shielded molecules by
applying a microwave field. We carry out coupled-channel scattering calculations in a field-dressed basis set to
determine loss rate coefficients and scattering lengths. We find that both the s-wave scattering length and the
dipole length can be widely tuned by changing the parameters of the microwave field, while maintaining strong suppression of lossy collisions.
Date Issued
2026-04-01
Date Acceptance
2026-03-22
Citation
Physical Review Research, 2026, 8 (2)
ISSN
2643-1564
Publisher
American Physical Society
Journal / Book Title
Physical Review Research
Volume
8
Issue
2
Copyright Statement
© 2026 The Author(s). Published by the American Physical Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the published article’s title, journal citation, and DOI.
License URL
Identifier
10.1103/2td6-pcvk
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
ARTN 023087
Date Publish Online
2026-04-29