Multiscale quantum-defect theory for two interacting atoms in a symmetric harmonic trap

Abstract

We present a multiscale quantum-defect theory (QDT) for two identical atoms in a symmetric harmonic trap that combines the quantum-defect theory for the van der Waals interaction [B. Gao, Phys. Rev. A \textbf{64}, 010701(R) (2001)] at short distances with a quantum-defect theory for the harmonic trapping potential at large distances. The theory provides a systematic understanding of two atoms in a trap, from deeply bound molecular states and states of different partial waves, to highly excited trap states. It shows, e.g., that a strong $p$ wave pairing can lead to a lower energy state around the threshold than a $s$ wave pairing.

10 pages, 6 figures

References in corpus (5)

• Molecules of Fermionic Atoms in an Optical Lattice
• Analytical solutions for the dynamics of two trapped interacting ultracold atoms
• Broad versus narrow Fano-Feshbach resonances in the BCS-BEC crossover with trapped Fermi atom
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