Characterization and control of ultracold collisions

A series of experiments investigating ultracold collision dynamics are performed. In particular, I investigate a number of new methods by which lasers may increase or decrease inelastic collision rates. The experiments are performed in a Rb magneto-optical trap (MOT). In addition, the dynamics of excited-ground ultracold collisions are investigated in the temporal domain. Semiclassical simulations of the collision processes are performed to provide a simple, intuitive model for ultracold collisions in the presence of laser light.