Making molecules by mergoassociation: two atoms in adjacent nonspherical optical traps

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework for the process of mergoassociation, where two ultracold atoms in nonspherical optical traps merge to form molecules, analyzing the effects of trap anisotropy on the process.

Contribution

The paper introduces a coupled-channel theory for nonidentical nonspherical traps and provides an approximate method to understand the impact of trap anisotropy on molecule formation.

Findings

Analyzed the avoided crossing strength as a function of trap anisotropy.

Developed a coupled-channel approach for nonspherical traps.

Provided an approximate method for crossing strength dependence.

Abstract

Mergoassociation of two ultracold atoms to form a weakly bound molecule can occur when two optical traps that each contain a single atom are merged. Molecule formation occurs at an avoided crossing between a molecular state and the lowest motional state of the atom pair. We develop the theory of mergoassociation for pairs of nonidentical nonspherical traps. We develop a coupled-channel approach for the relative motion of the two atoms and present results for pairs of cylindrically symmetrical traps as a function of their anisotropy. We focus on the strength of the avoided crossing responsible for mergoassociation. We also develop an approximate method that gives insight into the dependence of the crossing strength on aspect ratio.