Determination of the s-wave scattering length and the C6 van der Waals coefficient of Yb174 via photoassociation spectroscopy

Abstract

We report photoassociation spectroscopy of Yb174 for the S01-P11 transition at 1μK, where only the s-wave scattering state contributes to the spectra. The wave function of the s-wave scattering state is obtained from the photoassociation efficiency, and we determine that the C6 potential coefficient is 2300±250a.u. and the s-wave scattering length is 5.53±0.11nm. Based on these parameters, we discuss the scattering properties of s- and d-wave states. © 2007 The American Physical Society.