Brett Esry
Department of Physics
Kansas State University

Abstract

Ultracold three-body collisions and Efimov physics

A phenomenon first predicted in nuclear physics has proven instrumental in understanding the three-body collisions important for degenerate quantum gas experiments.  That phenomenon, the Efimov effect, was so counter-intuitive that it was not even believed by many nuclear physicists when it was first proposed in the early 1970s.  It has since been amply verified theoretically and now even has experimental support.  We have found that the physics uncovered by Efimov actually underlies essentially all of the three-body processes near the three-body breakup threshold important for degenerate quantum gases.  I will try to tell this remarkable story and relate its impact on the many experiments in ultracold atomic physics.

Please come meet the speaker over coffee and refreshments from 3:45-4:10 pm in the foyer on floor G above the lecture hall.   All Welcome.  Host: Dr. Doerte Blume