Cold hybrid ion-atom systems represent an expanding frontier in quantum science, yet the role of the radio-frequency (rf) drive field in their collision dynamics remains inadequately understood. In this work, we investigate how the rf drive frequency in a Paul trap affects collisions in a hybrid system of neutral ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms with multiple ionic species (e.g., ${}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}^{+},{}^{87}\mathrm{Rb},{}^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$, etc.). By monitoring the temporal evolution of atomic ions, molecular ions, and neutral atoms across a range of rf drive frequencies, we observe that distinct inelastic processes are selectively enhanced at different rf drive frequencies: Exothermic atomic ion-atom collisions dominate at lower rf drive frequencies, whereas molecular ion-atom quenching becomes prominent at higher rf drive frequencies. Moreover, the total-collision-rate coefficient exhibits a marked, nonmonotonic dependence on the rf drive frequency. These findings support a physical picture in which the time-dependent trap potential promotes the formation of trap-assisted ion-atom transient complexes, which actively participate in and reshape the collision dynamics. Our work thus provides insights into the role of the rf drive field in hybrid ion-atom systems featuring multiple ionic species.

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• Atom & ion trapping & guiding
• Scattering of atoms, molecules, clusters & ions
• Trapped atoms
• Trapped ions
• RF, microwave, & terahertz sources