Quantum dynamics of ultracold Na + Na₂ collisions

Soldan, P.; Cvitas, M.T.; Hutson, J.M.; Honvault, P.; Launay, J.M.

Abstract

Ultracold collisions between spin-polarized Na atoms and vibrationally excited Na2 molecules are investigated theoretically, using a reactive scattering formalism (including atom exchange). Calculations are carried out on both pairwise additive and nonadditive potential energy surfaces for the quartet electronic state. The Wigner threshold laws are followed for energies below 10
5 K. Vibrational relaxation processes dominate elastic processes for temperatures below 10
3–10
4 K. For temperatures below 10
5 K, the rate coefficients for vibrational relaxation (v  1 ! 0) are 4:8  10
11 and 5:2  10
10 cm3 s
1 for the additive and nonadditive potentials, respectively. The large difference emphasizes the importance of using accurate potential energy surfaces for such calculations.

Citation

Soldan, P., Cvitas, M., Hutson, J., Honvault, P., & Launay, J. (2002). Quantum dynamics of ultracold Na + Na₂ collisions. Physical Review Letters, 89(15), https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.89.153201

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2002-10
• Journal: Physical Review Letters
• Print ISSN: 0031-9007
• Electronic ISSN: 1079-7114
• Publisher: American Physical Society
• Volume: 89
• Issue: 15
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.89.153201