Abstract

We consider the quantum theory of two atomic fields interacting coherently to form a molecular field via Raman photo-association[1]. This can be applied to treat interactions in either atomic Bose condensates or quantum Fermi gases, describing coherent molecule formation together with s-wave scattering This new type of super-chemical reaction (or nonlinear atom optics) has never been observed on earth - and temperatures even in space would be far too hot to observe it naturally Thus, it would represent a breakthrough into a completely new type of low-temperature physics, only accessible at the temperatures that have been recently obtained experimentally The theory required is also new, yet surprisingly relatively simple.

© 2000 IEEE