Physics – Atomic Physics
Scientific paper
2009-12-19
Science 327, 853-857 (2010)
Physics
Atomic Physics
Scientific paper
How does a chemical reaction proceed at ultralow temperatures? Can simple quantum mechanical rules such as quantum statistics, single scattering partial waves, and quantum threshold laws provide a clear understanding for the molecular reactivity under a vanishing collision energy? Starting with an optically trapped near quantum degenerate gas of polar $^{40}$K$^{87}$Rb molecules prepared in their absolute ground state, we report experimental evidence for exothermic atom-exchange chemical reactions. When these fermionic molecules are prepared in a single quantum state at a temperature of a few hundreds of nanoKelvins, we observe p-wave-dominated quantum threshold collisions arising from tunneling through an angular momentum barrier followed by a near-unity probability short-range chemical reaction. When these molecules are prepared in two different internal states or when molecules and atoms are brought together, the reaction rates are enhanced by a factor of 10 to 100 due to s-wave scattering, which does not have a centrifugal barrier. The measured rates agree with predicted universal loss rates related to the two-body van der Waals length.
Bohn John. L.
de Miranda Marcio H. G.
Jin Deborah S.
Julienne Paul S.
Neyenhuis Brian
No associations
LandOfFree
Quantum-State Controlled Chemical Reactions of Ultracold KRb Molecules does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Quantum-State Controlled Chemical Reactions of Ultracold KRb Molecules, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Quantum-State Controlled Chemical Reactions of Ultracold KRb Molecules will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-381774