Quantum Reactive Scattering of Ultracold NH(XΣ3) Radicals in a Magnetic Trap

Liesbeth M. C. Janssen, Ad van der Avoird, and Gerrit C. Groenenboom
Phys. Rev. Lett. 110, 063201 – Published 4 February 2013
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Abstract

We investigate the ultracold reaction dynamics of magnetically trapped NH(XΣ3) radicals using rigorous quantum scattering calculations involving three coupled potential energy surfaces. We find that the reactive NH+NH cross section is driven by a short-ranged collisional mechanism, and its magnitude is only weakly dependent on magnetic field strength. Unlike most ultracold reactions observed so far, the NH+NH scattering dynamics is nonuniversal. Our results indicate that chemical reactions can cause more trap loss than spin-inelastic NH+NH collisions, making molecular evaporative cooling more difficult than previously anticipated.

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  • Received 27 August 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.110.063201

© 2013 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Liesbeth M. C. Janssen*, Ad van der Avoird, and Gerrit C. Groenenboom

  • Radboud University Nijmegen, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen, The Netherlands

  • *Present address: Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, 3000 Broadway, New York, New York 10027, USA. ljanssen@science.ru.nl
  • gerritg@theochem.ru.nl

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Issue

Vol. 110, Iss. 6 — 8 February 2013

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