Modification of scattering lengths via magnetic dipole-dipole interactions

Abstract

We propose a new mechanism for tuning an atomic s-wave scattering length. The effect is caused by virtual transitions between different Zeeman sublevels via magnetic dipole-dipole interactions. These transitions give rise to an effective potential, which, in contrast to standard magnetic interactions, has an isotropic component and thus affects s-wave collisions. Our numerical analysis shows that for chromium-50 the scattering length can be modified up to 15 %.