Towards photoassociation processes of ultracold rubidium trimers

TL;DR

This paper explores the theoretical feasibility of photoassociating ultracold rubidium trimers, analyzing electronic states, transition probabilities, and potential pathways to form stable Rb$_3$ molecules.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive theoretical analysis of photoassociation processes for Rb$_3$, including state accessibility, transition dipoles, and potential energy surface topology, identifying promising pathways for molecule formation.

Findings

Identified specific PA transitions for Rb$_3$

Analyzed spin-orbit and Jahn-Teller effects on potential surfaces

Proposed feasible routes for creating long-lived trimers

Abstract

We theoretically investigate the prospects for photoassociation (PA) of Rb$_3$, in particular at close range. We provide an overview of accessible states and possible transitions. The major focus is placed on the calculation of equilibrium structures, the survey of spin-orbit effects and the investigation of transition dipole moments. Furthermore we discuss Franck-Condon overlaps and special aspects of trimers including the (pseudo) Jahn-Teller effect and the resulting topology of adiabatic potential-energy surfaces. With this we identify concrete and suitable PA transitions to potentially produce long-lived trimer bound states. Calculations are performed using the multireference configuration-interaction method together with a large-core effective core potential and a core-polarization potential with a large uncontracted even-tempered basis set.