Scattering-length determination from trapped pairs of atoms

A method is described for estimating effective scattering lengths via spectroscopy on a trapped pair of atoms. The method relies on the phenomena that the energy levels of two atoms in a harmonic trap are shifted by their collisional interaction. The amount of shift depends on the strength of the interaction (i.e., scattering length). By combining the spectra of the trap state energy levels and a suitable model for the effective scattering length, an estimate for the latter may be inferred. Two practical methods for measuring the trap spectra are proposed and illustrated in examples. The accuracy of the scheme is analyzed and requirements on measurement precision are given.