Association of Efimov trimers from a three-atom continuum

Abstract

We develop an experimental technique for rf-association of Efimov trimers from three-atoms continuum. We apply it to probe the lowest accessible Efimov energy level in bosonic lithium in the region where strong deviations from the universal behavior are expected, and provide quantitative study of this effect. Position of the Efimov resonance at the atom-dimer threshold, measured with a different experimental technique, concurs with the rf-association results.