ABSTRACT
We measure the rates of elastic and inelastic two-body collisions of cold spin-polarized neon atoms in the metastable 3P2 state for 20Ne and 22Ne in a magnetic trap. From particle loss, we determine the loss parameter of inelastic collisions beta=6.5(18) x 10(-12) cm(3) s(-1) for 20Ne and beta=1.2(3) x 10(-11) cm(3) s(-1) for 22Ne. These losses are caused by ionizing (i.e., Penning) collisions and occur less frequently than for unpolarized atoms. This proves the suppression of Penning ionization due to spin polarization. From cross-dimensional relaxation measurements, we obtain elastic scattering lengths of a=-180(40)a(0) for 20Ne and a = +150(+80)(-50)a(0) for 22Ne, where a(0)=0.0529 nm.
ABSTRACT
We observe vibrational states by photoassociation spectroscopy of cold He(2 3S) atoms. Photoassociation resonances are detected as peaks in the Penning ionization rate over a frequency range of 20 GHz below the atomic 2 3S1-2 3P2 transition frequency. We have observed three vibrational series, of which two can be identified. A possible mechanism to explain the observed increase of the Penning ionization rate is discussed.
ABSTRACT
We observe vibrational states by photoassociation spectroscopy of cold He(2 ^{3}S) atoms. Photoassociation resonances are detected as peaks in the Penning ionization rate over a frequency range of 20 GHz below the atomic 2 ^{3}S_{1}-2 ^{3}P_{2} transition frequency. We have observed three vibrational series, of which two can be identified. A possible mechanism to explain the observed increase of the Penning ionization rate is discussed.
