Theory of slow-atom collisions

A general theory of slow-atom collisions is presented with special emphasis on the effects of nuclear statistics and atomic fine and/or hyperfine structures. Symmetry properties of the collision complex and correlations between the molecular states and the separated-atom states are carefully examined. The frame transformations between various angular momentum coupling schemes are derived, which, in combination with the multichannel quantum defect theory, provides a solid foundation for the computation and the physical interpretation of slow-atom collision processes. The theory reduces to those of Stoof et al. [Phys. Rev. B 38, 4688 (1988)] and Zygelman et al. [Phys. Rev. A 49, 2587 (1994); 50, 3920 (1994)] in their respective ranges of validity. {} 1996 The American Physical Society.