Observation of Optically Induced Feshbach Resonances in Collisions of Cold Atoms
Fredrik K. FatemiAtomic Physics Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8424Kevin M. JonesPhysics Department, Williams College, Willamstown, Massachusetts 01267Paul D. LettAtomic Physics Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-8424
2000en
ABI
Abstract
We have observed optically induced Feshbach resonances in a cold ( <1 mK) sodium vapor. The optical coupling of the ground and excited-state potentials changes the scattering properties of an ultracold gas in much the same way as recently observed magnetically induced Feshbach resonances, but allows for some experimental conveniences associated with using lasers. The scattering properties can be varied by changing either the intensity or the detuning of a laser tuned near a photoassociation transition to a molecular state in the dimer. In principle this method allows the scattering length of any atomic species to be altered. A simple model is used to fit the dispersive resonance line shapes.
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