Ultracold quantum dynamics: spin-polarized K + K_2 collisions with three identical bosons or fermions

Abstract

We have developed a new potential energy surface for spin-polarized K(${}^2$S) + K${}_2{(}^3{\Sigma }_u^{+})$ collisions and carried out quantum dynamical calculations of vibrational quenching at low and ultralow collision energies for both bosons ${}^{39}$K and ${}^{41}$K and fermions ${}^{40}$K. At collision energies above about 0.1 mK the quenching rates are well described by a classical Langevin model, but at lower energies a fully quantal treatment is essential. We find that for the low initial vibrational state considered here ($v=1$), the ultracold quenching rates are {\it not} substantially suppressed for fermionic atoms. For both bosons and fermions, vibrational quenching is much faster than elastic scattering in the ultralow-temperature regime. This contrasts with the situation found experimentally for molecules formed via Feshbach resonances in very high vibrational states.

11 pages, 9 figures

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