Photoassociation spectra and the validity of the dipole approximation for weakly bound dimers

Cocks, Daniel G., and Whittingham, Ian (2010) Photoassociation spectra and the validity of the dipole approximation for weakly bound dimers. Physical Review A (Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics), 81 (3). - .

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Abstract

Photoassociation (PA) of ultracold metastable helium to the 2s2p manifold is theoretically investigated using a non-perturbative close-coupled treatment in which the laser coupling is evaluated without assuming the dipole approximation. The results are compared with our previous study [Cocks and Whittingham, Phys. Rev. A 80, 023417 (2009)] that makes use of the dipole approximation. The approximation is found to strongly affect the PA spectra because the photoassociated levels are weakly bound, and a similar impact is predicted to occur in other systems of a weakly bound nature. The inclusion or not of the approximation does not affect the resonance positions or widths, however significant differences are observed in the background of the spectra and the maximum laser intensity at which resonances are discernable. Couplings not satisfying the dipole selection rule |J-1| < J^\prime < |J+1| do not lead to observable resonances.

Item ID: 9307
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1094-1622
Keywords: ultracold atomic collisions, photoassociation, metastable helium
Date Deposited: 11 Aug 2010 04:57
FoR Codes: 02 PHYSICAL SCIENCES > 0202 Atomic, Molecular, Nuclear, Particle and Plasma Physics > 020201 Atomic and Molecular Physics @ 100%
SEO Codes: 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970102 Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences @ 100%
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