Collisional two- and three-body decay rates of dilute quantum gases at ultralow temperatures

Abstract

In view of recent successful evaporative cooling experiments reaching temperatures in the nK range, we discuss ground-state two-body inelastic and three-body decay rates of dilute cold atomic gas samples at ultralow temperatures. We present theoretical low-temperature two-body decay rates in alkali-atom systems using recently obtained information on two-body potentials. The rates show an oscillating structure as a function of temperature and magnetic field which can be understood in terms of the interference of initial and final radial waves.