Microwave-induced Fano-Feshbach resonances

TL;DR

This paper explores how microwave fields can be used to control the interaction strength between cold bosonic atoms, potentially enabling new experimental techniques across various atomic species.

Contribution

It introduces a method to manipulate s-wave scattering lengths using microwave-induced Fano-Feshbach resonances applicable to alkali-metal atoms.

Findings

Significant change in scattering length for 87Rb and 133Cs

Feasibility of experimental implementation for alkali-metal atoms

Potential for precise control of atomic interactions

Abstract

We investigate the possibility to control the s-wave scattering length for the interaction between cold bosonic atoms by using a microwave field. Our scheme applies to any atomic species with a ground state that is split by hyperfine interaction. We discuss more specifically the case of alkali-metal atoms and calculate the change in the scattering length for 7Li, 23Na, 41K, 87Rb, and 133Cs. Our results yield optimistic prospects for experiments with the four latter species.