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Manipulating spin-dependent interactions in rotationally excited cold molecules with electric fields

TitleManipulating spin-dependent interactions in rotationally excited cold molecules with electric fields
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2006
AuthorsTscherbul, TV, Krems, RV
JournalJOURNAL OF CHEMICAL PHYSICS
Volume125
Pagination194311
Date PublishedNOV 21
ISSN0021-9606
Abstract

We use rigorous quantum mechanical theory to study collisions of magnetically oriented cold molecules in the presence of superimposed electric and magnetic fields. It is shown that electric fields suppress the spin-rotation interaction in rotationally excited (2)Sigma molecules and inhibit rotationally elastic and inelastic transitions accompanied by electron spin reorientation. We demonstrate that electric fields enhance collisional spin relaxation in (3)Sigma molecules and discuss the mechanisms for electric field control of spin-changing transitions in collisions of rotationally excited CaD((2)Sigma) and ND((3)Sigma) molecules with helium atoms. The propensities for spin depolarization in the rotationally excited molecules are analyzed based on the calculations of collision rate constants at T=0.5 K. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.

DOI10.1063/1.2374896