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Roy Elbaz

Publications and source records attributed to Roy Elbaz.

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Reshaped Three-Body Interactions and the Observation of an Efimov State in the Continuum

Efimov trimers are exotic three-body quantum states that emerge from the different types of three-body continua in the vicinity of two-atom Feshbach resonances. In particular, as the strength of the interaction is decreased to a critical point, an Efimov state merges into the atom-dimer threshold and eventually dissociates into an unbound atom-dimer pair. Here we explore the Efimov state in the vicinity of this critical point using coherent few-body spectroscopy in $^7$Li atoms using a narrow two-body Feshbach resonance. Contrary to the expectation, we find that the $^7$Li Efimov trimer does not immediately dissociate when passing the threshold, and survives as a metastable state embedded in the atom-dimer continuum. We identify this behavior with a universal phenomenon related to the emergence of a repulsive interaction in the atom-dimer channel which reshapes the three-body interactions in any system characterized by a narrow Feshbach resonance. Specifically, our results shed light on the nature of $^7$Li Efimov states and provide a path to understand various puzzling phenomena associated with them.

cond-mat.quant-gas

Observation of coherent oscillations in association of dimers from a thermal gas of ultracold atoms

We report the observation of coherent oscillations in conversion efficiency of weakly-bound dimers formed from a thermal gas of ultracold atoms. Finite thermal energy of the gas causes loss of coherence when a broad continuum is resonantly coupled to a discrete bound state. Restoration of the coherence can be achieved through non-adiabatic transitions of the dressed molecular energy level that are induced by a strong modulation pulse with fast envelope dynamics. Conditions to observe coherent oscillations are verified, and control of their properties is demonstrated. The main experimental findings are supported by theoretical modeling and numerical calculations. The observed results may lead to a renewed interest in general studies of a discrete energy level coupled to a broadband continuum when the properties of both are fully controlled.

cond-mat.quant-gas

Efimov energy level rebounding off the atom-dimer continuum

The Efimov effect, with its ladder of weakly bound three-atomic molecules, poses intriguing questions in the theoretically controversial and experimentally demanding regime of merging of the first excited Efimov energy level with the atom-dimer continuum. Using an original experimental technique, where a coherent superposition state of diatomic and triatomic molecules is utilized, we investigate this regime and reveal a striking behavior: Instead of merging with the atom-dimer continuum the trimer energy level rebounds from it and becomes a deeper bound state again. In addition, instead of a tangential approach between the two levels we observe a rather narrow resonance, providing a new challenge and guide for few-body theories to incorporate realistic interatomic potentials.

cond-mat.quant-gas

A coherent superposition of Feshbach dimers and Efimov trimers

A powerful experimental technique to study Efimov physics at positive scattering lengths is demonstrated. We use the Feshbach dimers as a local reference for Efimov trimers by creating a coherent superposition of both states. Measurement of its coherent evolution provides information on the binding energy of the trimers with unprecedented precision and yields access to previously inaccessible parameters of the system such as the Efimov trimers' lifetime and the elastic processes between atoms and the constituents of the superposition state. We develop a comprehensive data analysis suitable for noisy experimental data that confirms the trustworthiness of our demonstration.

cond-mat.quant-gas