Molecule Formation in Optical Lattice Wells by Resonantly Modulated Magnetic Fields

Abstract

We present a theoretical model for formation of molecules in an optical lattice well where a resonant coupling of atomic and molecular states is provided by small oscillations of a magnetic field in the vicinity of a Feshbach resonance. As opposed to an adiabatic sweep over the full resonance, this provides a coherent coupling with a frequency that can be tuned to meet resonance conditions in the system. The effective Rabi frequencies for this coupling are calculated and simulations show perfect Rabi oscillations. Robust production of molecules with an adiabatic sweep of the modulation frequency is demonstrated. For very large oscillation amplitudes, the Rabi oscillations are distorted but still effective and fast association is possible.