Effect of Conical Intersections on Chemical Reactivity of Ultracold Molecules in Optical Potentials
Abstract
Major Goals: Conical intersections between molecular electronic potential surfaces can greatly affect molecular dynamics and chemical properties. The different conditions under which and the effect of these conical intersections occur have been extensively described in the literature. These studies, however, were mostly restricted to temperatures above 1 K, where typically many angular momenta or partial waves contribute to the overall reaction outcome. Remarkable progress in cooling and trapping molecules in recent years has opened up an entirely new energy regime: chemical reactivity at temperatures below one milli-Kelvin and even one micro-Kelvin. Then quantum interference effects and threshold phenomena begin to dominate in collisions as only few partial waves contribute and multiple reaction pathways interfere. In addition, it is possible to prepare these molecules in unique rovibrational states and turn on and off the effect of conical intersections. These novel capabilities pave the way to explore the fundamental principles of molecular reactivity at the very quantum limit. The objectives of the reported research were to develop theoretical models of and practical applications for conical intersections with their geometric phases to ultracold chemical reactions with molecules confined and controlled in optical potentials. The primary research focus was aimed at describing the collision among heteronuclear polar molecules, cooled to ?K temperatures, as well as the collision of these molecules with ultracold atoms. In addition, we studied means to control the charge-exchange reaction of atoms and ions with laser light and how to form and trap the heteronuclear polar molecules. In this report, we summarize our accomplishments under Grant W911NF-17-1-0563.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 12, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1204225
Entities
People
- Svetlana Kotochigova
Organizations
- Temple University