Formation of a Bose condensate of stable molecules via a Feshbach resonance

Abstract

We propose and analyze an approach to convert an atomic condensate into a condensate of diatomic molecules in the rovibrational ground state. The process consists of a stimulated Raman transition dramatically enhanced by a time-dependent magnetic field that sweeps over a field-induced Feshbach resonance. For Na atoms the Raman transition probability is enhanced by seven orders of magnitude, leading to a conversion efficiency of up to 20%. The resulting condensate is expected to be as stable as the present atomic condensates. The approach shows promise as a more general process for Feshbach engineering molecular condensates from condensates of the constituent atoms/molecules.