Eur. Phys. J. D 30, 201-207 (2004)
https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2004-00078-2

Sensitivity of the dynamics of Na + Na₂ collisions on the three-body interaction at ultralow energies

PALMS, UMR 6627 du CNRS, Université de Rennes 1, Campus de Beaulieu, 35042 Rennes Cedex, France

Corresponding author: ^a Pascal.Honvault@univ-rennes1.fr

Received: 29 March 2004
Published online: 22 June 2004

Abstract

We have studied the quantum dynamics of collisions between spin-stretched Na atoms and Na₂ molecules. Cross-sections and rate coefficients for vibrational relaxation of Na₂(v,j=0) have been computed in the 1 nK-0.1 mK energy range using an accurate time-independent method based on hyperspherical coordinates. The complex scattering length and the extension of the Wigner region have been determined. A detailed study of the sensitivity of collisional quantities on the three-body interaction at short distance has been performed. They are very sensitive to three-body effects for the vibrational state v=1 of Na₂. Rotational distributions have also been calculated and show a more pronounced sensitivity on the three-body interaction, even for v=2 and 3.