Quantum reactive scattering of ultracold NH($X\,^3\Sigma^-$) radicals in a magnetic trap

Abstract

We investigate the ultracold reaction dynamics of magnetically trapped NH($X ^3\Sigma^-$) radicals using rigorous quantum scattering calculations involving three coupled potential energy surfaces. We find that the reactive NH + NH cross section is driven by a short-ranged collisional mechanism, and its magnitude is only weakly dependent on magnetic field strength. Unlike most ultracold reactions observed so far, the NH + NH scattering dynamics is non-universal. Our results indicate that chemical reactions can cause more trap loss than spin-inelastic NH + NH collisions, making molecular evaporative cooling more difficult than previously anticipated.