Formation of ultracold heteronuclear polyatomic molecule: multi-path scheme and interference effect

Abstract

Abstract We investigate the creation of stable heteronuclear polyatomic molecules based on the three-body and higher order Efimov state via a generalized stimulated Raman adiabatic passage scheme. Within the mean-field approximation, we establish the multi-path conversion models and derive the dark state solutions. The multi-path atom–polymer conversion dynamics and interference effect are studied. We show that the multi-path constructive interference permits higher conversion efficiency, resulting in a state that is closer to the ideal dark state solutions. The effects on the conversion efficiency of the single-photon detuning, the strength of the Rabi pulse, the spontaneous emission from intermediate states and the interaction between the particles are also discussed. Our results not only include the previous ultracold molecule formation techniques, such as the single-path polyatomic molecule, double-path pentamer and triple-path trimer, but also open a possible route for the multi-path formation of more complex polyatomic molecules.