Quantum-reflection model for Penning ionization rate coefficients in cold collisions of metastable helium and rubidium

A quantum-reflection model is employed to calculate the rate coefficient for the Penning ionization of rubidium by cold metastable helium atoms in unpolarized collisions. Various results for the p-wave transmission coefficient on a 1/R6 long-range potential are discussed. The dispersion coefficient for the interaction of these atoms is estimated as 3540 au. The calculated value of the rate coefficient is about four times lower than the recently measured value (Byron et al 2010a Phys. Rev. A 81 013405) for this process when both atoms are held in magneto-optical traps.