Yamaguchi, A.Uetake, S.Hashimoto, D.Doyle, JohnTakahashi, Y.2016-08-232008Yamaguchi, A., S. Uetake, D. Hashimoto, J. M. Doyle, and Y. Takahashi. 2008. “Inelastic Collisions in Optically Trapped Ultracold Metastable Ytterbium.” Physical Review Letters 101 (23) (December 2). doi:10.1103/physrevlett.101.233002.0031-9007http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:27868187We report measurement of inelastic loss in dense and cold metastable ytterbium (Yb½ 3P2 ). Use of an optical far-off-resonance trap enables us to trap atoms in all magnetic sublevels, removing m-changing collisional trap loss from the system. Trapped samples of Yb½ 3P2 are produced at a density of 2 1013 cm3 and temperature of 2 K. We observe rapid two-body trap loss of Yb½ 3P2 and measure the inelastic collision rate constant 1:0ð3Þ 1011 cm3 s1. The existence of the fine-structure changing collisions between atoms in the 3P2 state is strongly suggested.en-USJournal Article2016-08-2310.1103/PhysRevLett.101.233002