Energy spectrum of trapped two-atom system with spin-orbit coupling*

Ultracold atomic gases provide a novel platform with which to study spin-orbit coupling, a mechanism that plays a central role in the nuclear shell model, atomic fine structure and two-dimensional electron gases. We introduce a theoretical framework that allows for the efficient determination of the eigenenergies and eigenstates of a harmonically trapped two-atom system with short-range interaction subject to spin-orbit coupling. Energy spectra for experimentally relevant parameter combinations will be presented and future extensions will be discussed.