Cold atom-molecule collisions

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The goal of this project is to experimentally investigate non-reactive and reactive collisions between atoms and molecules at very low scattering energies. The novel approach consists of combining a magneto-optic and magnetic trap for ultracold lithium (Li) atoms with an existing setup for producing slow beams of cold molecules by means of supersonic expansion out of a rotating nozzle. Collisions of Li atoms with halogen hydride molecules (HF, HCI, HBr, HI) will be studied at collision energies down to 1 meV, at which the collision process is of quantum mechanical nature. The elementary reactive scattering process Li+HF(LiF+H is of particular interest due to the relatively simple electronic structure of the reacting particles. It belongs to the very few reactions that to date can be treated fully quantum mechanically. This project opens the way to studying a variety of elementary chemical reactions at very low scattering energies, at which reaction dynamics is governed by quantum effects and new phenomena are expected.