We compute the fraction of closed-channel molecules in trapped atomic Fermi gases, over the entire range of accessible fields and temperatures. We use a two-channel model of BCS--Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC) crossover theory at general temperature $T$, and show that this fraction provides a measure of the $T$ dependent pairing gap. Our calculations, containing no free parameters, are in good quantitative agreement with recent low $T$ measurements in $^6$Li. We present readily testable predictions for the dependencies of the closed-channel fraction on temperature and Fermi momentum.
Categories: cond-mat.supr-con cond-mat.quant-gas cond-mat.str-el