Tensorial analysis of the long-range interaction between metastable alkaline-earth-metal atoms

Robin Santra and Chris H. Greene
Phys. Rev. A 67, 062713 – Published 25 June 2003
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Abstract

Alkaline-earth-metal atoms in their lowest (nsnp) 3P2 state are exceptionally long lived and can be trapped magnetically. The nonspherical atomic structure leads to anisotropic long-range interactions between two metastable alkaline-earth-metal atoms. The anisotropy affects the rotational motion of the diatomic system and couples states of different rotational quantum numbers. This paper develops a tensorial decomposition of the most important long-range interaction operators, and a systematic inclusion of molecular rotations, in the presence of an external magnetic field. This analysis illuminates the nature of the coupling between the various degrees of freedom. The consequences are illustrated by application to a system of practical interest: metastable 88Sr. Using atomic parameters determined in a nearly ab initio calculation, we compute adiabatic potential-energy curves. The anisotropic interatomic interaction, in combination with the applied magnetic field, is demonstrated to induce the formation of a long-range molecular potential well. This curve correlates to two fully polarized, low-field seeking atoms in a rotational s-wave state. The coupling among molecular rotational states controls the existence of the potential well, and its properties vary as a function of magnetic-field strength, thus allowing the scattering length in this state to be tuned. The scattering length of metastable 88Sr displays a resonance at a field of 339 G.

  • Received 17 February 2003

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.67.062713

©2003 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Robin Santra and Chris H. Greene

  • Department of Physics and JILA, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309-0440, USA

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Vol. 67, Iss. 6 — June 2003

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