# Excitation-assisted nonadiabatic charge-transfer reaction in a mixed atom-ion system

## TL;DR

This paper investigates charge-transfer reactions in ultracold calcium atoms and ytterbium ions, revealing three distinct mechanisms influenced by laser interactions, advancing understanding of atom-ion reaction dynamics.

## Contribution

It provides new experimental measurements and theoretical models for charge-transfer processes in a mixed atom-ion system under controlled conditions.

## Key findings

- Identified three reaction mechanisms involving laser interactions.
- Demonstrated control over charge-transfer pathways.
- Provided theoretical analysis matching experimental data.

## Abstract

An important physical process unique to neutral-ion systems is the charge-transfer (CT) reaction. Here, we present measurements of and models for CT processes between co-trapped ultracold Ca atoms and Yb ions under well-controlled conditions. The theoretical analysis reveals the existence of three reaction mechanisms when lasers from a magneto-optical trap (MOT) and an additional catalyst laser are present. Besides the direct CT involving existent excited Ca population in the MOT, the second pathway is controlled by MOT-induced CT, whereas the third one mostly involves the additional red-detuned laser.