Inelastic and elastic collision rates for triplet states of ultracold strontium

TL;DR

This paper measures inelastic and elastic collision rates for ultracold ^{88}Sr atoms in the (5s5p)^3P_0 state, providing new insights into collision properties of triplet states in alkaline-earth atoms.

Contribution

First measurement of ultracold collision rates for the ^3P_0 state in an alkaline-earth atom, revealing significant loss rates and the importance of quantum-number-changing collisions.

Findings

Large loss rates indicate significant quantum-number-changing collisions.

First ultracold collision property measurements for ^3P_0 state.

Estimated collisional loss rates for ^3P_2 state.

Abstract

We report measurement of the inelastic and elastic collision rates for ^{88}Sr atoms in the (5s5p)^3P_0 state in a crossed-beam optical dipole trap. This is the first measurement of ultracold collision properties of a ^3P_0 level in an alkaline-earth atom or atom with similar electronic structure. Since the (5s5p)^3P_0 state is the lowest level of the triplet manifold, large loss rates indicate the importance of principle-quantum-number-changing collisions at short range. We also provide an estimate of the collisional loss rates for the (5s5p){^3P_2} state.