Tuning p-wave interactions in an ultracold Fermi gas of atoms

TL;DR

This paper reports the experimental observation and control of p-wave Feshbach resonance in ultracold potassium Fermi gas, significantly affecting collision processes and inelastic losses, with implications for quantum many-body physics.

Contribution

First measurement of p-wave Feshbach resonance in a single-component ultracold Fermi gas of potassium atoms, demonstrating control over p-wave interactions.

Findings

Enhanced p-wave collision cross-section surpassing s-wave background

Resonance significantly increases three-body inelastic losses

Potential for tuning p-wave interactions in quantum gases

Abstract

We have measured a p-wave Feshbach resonance in a single-component, ultracold Fermi gas of potassium atoms. We have used this resonance to enhance the normally suppressed p-wave collision cross-section to values larger than the background s-wave cross-section between potassium atoms in different spin-states. In addition to the modification of two-body elastic processes, the resonance dramatically enhances three-body inelastic collisional loss.