Ultracold collisions involving heteronuclear alkali metal dimers.
We carry out the first quantum dynamics calculations on ultracold atom-diatom collisions in isotopic mixtures. The systems studied are spin-polarized 7Li + 6Li7Li, 7Li + 6Li2, 6Li + 6Li7Li, and 6Li + 7Li2. Reactive scattering can occur for the first two systems even when the molecules are in their ground rovibrational states, but is slower than vibrational relaxation in homonuclear systems. Implications for sympathetic cooling of heteronuclear molecules are discussed.
Cvitas
Marko T
MT
Department of Chemistry, University of Durham, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE, United Kingdom.
Soldán
Pavel
P
Hutson
Jeremy M
JM
Honvault
Pascal
P
Launay
Jean-Michel
JM