Ultracold collisions involving heteronuclear alkali metal dimers

TL;DR

This paper presents the first quantum dynamics calculations of ultracold heteronuclear alkali metal dimer collisions, revealing reactive scattering and vibrational relaxation behaviors relevant for cooling applications.

Contribution

It introduces novel quantum calculations for heteronuclear alkali dimers at ultracold temperatures, expanding understanding of their collision dynamics.

Findings

Reactive scattering occurs in some heteronuclear systems at ultracold temperatures.

Vibrational relaxation is faster than reactive scattering in certain cases.

Implications for sympathetic cooling of heteronuclear molecules are discussed.

Abstract

We have carried out the first quantum dynamics calculations on ultracold atom-diatom collisions in isotopic mixtures. The systems studied are spin-polarized 7Li + 6Li7Li, 7Li + 6Li2, 6Li + 6Li7Li and 6Li + 7Li2. Reactive scattering can occur for the first two systems even when the molecules are in their ground rovibrational states, but is slower than vibrational relaxation in homonuclear systems. Implications for sympathetic cooling of heteronuclear molecules are discussed.