Efimov physics and the three-body parameter for shallow van der Waals potentials

TL;DR

This paper investigates the universal properties of weakly-bound three-boson systems, focusing on the three-body parameter and structural features of helium trimers, with implications for Efimov physics in cold atom experiments.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the three-body parameter and structural properties of helium trimers near the Efimov regime, linking experimental and theoretical perspectives.

Findings

Identification of the three-body parameter dependence on scattering length

Analysis of structural properties of helium trimers near Efimov states

Connection established between helium systems and cold atom Efimov physics

Abstract

Extremely weakly-bound three-boson systems are predicted to exhibit intriguing universal properties such as discrete scale invariance. Motivated by recent experimental studies of the ground and excited helium trimers, this work analyzes the three-body parameter and the structural properties of three helium atoms as the s-wave scattering length is tuned artificially. Connections with theoretical and experimental studies of the Efimov scenario as it pertains to cold atom systems are made.