Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:1504.00518 · New Journal of Physics

Dipolar Rydberg-atom gas prepared by adiabatic passage through an avoided crossing

Limei Wang, Hao Zhang, Linjie Zhang, Changyong Li, Yonggang Yang, Jianming Zhao, Georg A. Raithel, Suotang Jia

Published Jun 10, 2015• 12 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The passage of cold cesium 49S Rydberg atoms through an electric-field-induced multi-level avoided crossing with nearby hydrogen-like Rydberg levels is employed to prepare a cold, dipolar Rydberg atom gas. When the electric field is ramped through the avoided crossing on time scales on the order of 100 ns or slower, the 49S population adiabatically transitions into high- l Rydberg Stark states. The adiabatic state transformation results in a cold gas of Rydberg atoms with large electric dipole moments. After a waiting time of about 1 μ s and at sufficient atom density, the adiabatically transformed highly dipolar atoms become undetectable, enabling us to discern adiabatic from diabatic passage behavior through the avoided crossing. We attribute the state-selectivity to m -mixing collisions between the dipolar atoms. The data interpretation is supported by numerical simulations of the passage dynamics and of binary m -mixing collisions.

DOI
10.1088/1367-2630/17/6/063011

Related papers

Motion of Rydberg atoms with strong permanent-electric-dipole interactions

Luís F. Gonçalves, Nithiwadee Thaicharoen, Georg A. Raithel

Abstract Using classical trajectories simulations, we investigate the dynamics of a cold sample of Rydberg atoms with high permanent electric dipole moments. The dipolar state can be created using an adiabatic passage through an avoided crossing between an S-like state and a linear Stark state. The simulations yield the pair-correlation functions (PCF) of the atom samples, which allow us to extract the motion of Rydberg-atom pairs in the many-body system. The results reveal the strength and the anisotropic character of the underlying interaction. The simulation is employed to test the suitability of experimental methods designed to derive interaction parameters from PCF. Insight is obtained about the stability of the method against variation of experimentally relevant parameters. Transient correlations due to interaction-induced heating are observed.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Jul 13, 2016•5 citations

Cold-Rydberg-gas dynamics

Alisa I. Walz‐Flannigan, Jeffrey R. Guest, Jongsoo Choi +1 more

Using state-selective field ionization, the state distributions of Rydberg atoms in cold Rydberg gases are measured for various initially excited Rydberg levels, populations, and evolution times. We provide direct experimental evidence for $l$-changing collisions that we previously observed indirectly [S. K. Dutta, D. Feldbaum, A. Walz-Flannigan, J. R. Guest, and G. Raithel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3993 (2001)]. We also observe $n$-mixing and find that its effects are largely in agreement with recent theoretical work on $n$-changing collisions between electrons and Rydberg atoms, thus enabling an estimation of the electron temperature. Unexpectedly large populations of atoms are found in states with principal quantum numbers much lower than that of the initially excited atoms. We explain this observation by collisions between high-$l$ Rydberg atoms, which are highly polar and can collide due to static electric-dipole forces between them.

Physical Review A•Jun 7, 2004•85 citations

Electric Field Tuned Dipolar Interaction Between Rydberg Atoms

Yuechun Jiao, Jingxu Bai, Rong Song +3 more

We demonstrated a tuned dipole interaction between Rydberg atoms by employing a controllable electric field in a cold cesium ensemble. The | n P 3/2 ⟩ ( n = 38–40) Rydberg pairs are prepared with a three-photon scheme and detected via the state-selective field ionization technique. A weak DC electric field is used to tune the Rydberg pair interaction from the van der Waals interaction regime to the dipole–dipole interaction regime. The Förster resonant interaction and an adiabatic resonance energy transfer between the n P and n S Rydberg states are attained by precisely tuning the electric field. Rydberg excitation blockade with and without the electric field is investigated by changing the excitation pulse duration, which demonstrates that the dipole interaction–induced blockade effect is stronger than the van der Waals interaction–induced blockade effect. The precise control of the Rydberg interaction is of great significance to the coherent interaction in many-body systems and non-radiative collision processes.

Frontiers in Physics•Apr 27, 2022•8 citations

State-Mixing of nS Rydberg Atoms in an External Electric Field

Yuechun Jiao, Limei Wang, Hao Zhang +3 more

State-mixing effect of ultracold nS cesium Rydberg atoms in an external electric field is investigated in a magneto-optical trap. Populated high-l Rydberg atoms due to the state-mixing through avoided crossings are measured with a state-selective field ionization technique. The measured transfer rates of high-l states increase with the electric field and get to the maximum at the field of about 3.0 V/cm for 49S1/2 Rydberg state, and show decrease behavior when the electric field increases further. The decrease behavior of the transfer rate is explained with the slower m-mixing effect caused by decreasing dipole–dipole interactions between high-l Rydberg atoms. During the m-mixing process the ultracold plasma is formed by the Penning ionization.

Journal of the Physical Society of Japan•Sep 1, 2015•1 citation

Stark-induced L -mixing interferences in ultracold cesium Rydberg atoms

Hao Zhang, Limei Wang, Linjie Zhang +7 more

The $l$-mixing effect and state-transfer induced by an external electric field pulse in ultracold Rydberg gases are observed with cesium atoms excited to $\mathit{nS}$ states, and measured with a state selective field ionization technique. High-$l$ states are populated from the initially excited $\mathit{nS}$ states due to non-adiabatic transitions through avoided crossings that are formed between the $\mathit{nS}$ state and the ($n\ensuremath{-}4$) manifold. The population of the product state is investigated as a function of the electric field pulse parameters. The coherent property of the transfer is demonstrated using a 2-pulse sequence and the results are consistent with the theoretical calculations. This $l$-mixing phenomenon in the electric field may be used to help forming a molecular potential and create Rydberg molecules.

Physical Review A•Mar 5, 2013•15 citations

Time Evolution of High-l Stark States in Cold Rydberg Atoms

Limei Wang, Hao Zhang, Linjie Zhang +5 more

The high-l Rydberg Stark states are populated by the state transfer from initial prepared nS Rydberg state via avoided crossings induced by a weak electric-field pulse, and investigated by the state selective field ionization method in a cesium standard magneto-optical trap. The dependences of the transfer rate, given by the ratio of the number of high-l Stark states to all atoms, on the strength and holding time of electric-field pulse are investigated and compared with those with additional ions. The results show that the time evolution of high-l Stark states strongly depends on the electric-field strength, and is affected by the additional ions at relatively weaker field (1.51 V/cm here). The density of Rydberg atoms has a minor effect on the characteristic time of evolution process.

Journal of the Physical Society of Japan•Oct 27, 2014•1 citation
The passage of cold cesium 49S Rydberg atoms through an electric-field-induced multi-level avoided crossing with nearby hydrogen-like Rydberg levels is employed to prepare a cold, dipolar Rydberg atom gas. When the electric field is ramped through the avoided crossing on time scales on the order of 100 ns or slower, the 49S population adiabatically transitions into high- l Rydberg Stark states. The adiabatic state transformation results in a cold gas of Rydberg atoms with large electric dipole moments. After a waiting time of about 1 μ s and at sufficient atom density, the adiabatically transformed highly dipolar atoms become undetectable, enabling us to discern adiabatic from diabatic passage behavior through the avoided crossing. We attribute the state-selectivity to m -mixing collisions between the dipolar atoms. The data interpretation is supported by numerical simulations of the passage dynamics and of binary m -mixing collisions.
Abstract Using classical trajectories simulations, we investigate the dynamics of a cold sample of Rydberg atoms with high permanent electric dipole moments. The dipolar state can be created using an adiabatic passage through an avoided crossing between an S-like state and a linear Stark state. The simulations yield the pair-correlation functions (PCF) of the atom samples, which allow us to extract the motion of Rydberg-atom pairs in the many-body system. The results reveal the strength and the anisotropic character of the underlying interaction. The simulation is employed to test the suitability of experimental methods designed to derive interaction parameters from PCF. Insight is obtained about the stability of the method against variation of experimentally relevant parameters. Transient correlations due to interaction-induced heating are observed.
Using state-selective field ionization, the state distributions of Rydberg atoms in cold Rydberg gases are measured for various initially excited Rydberg levels, populations, and evolution times. We provide direct experimental evidence for lll-changing collisions that we previously observed indirectly [S. K. Dutta, D. Feldbaum, A. Walz-Flannigan, J. R. Guest, and G. Raithel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3993 (2001)]. We also observe nnn-mixing and find that its effects are largely in agreement with recent theoretical work on nnn-changing collisions between electrons and Rydberg atoms, thus enabling an estimation of the electron temperature. Unexpectedly large populations of atoms are found in states with principal quantum numbers much lower than that of the initially excited atoms. We explain this observation by collisions between high-lll Rydberg atoms, which are highly polar and can collide due to static electric-dipole forces between them.
We demonstrated a tuned dipole interaction between Rydberg atoms by employing a controllable electric field in a cold cesium ensemble. The | n P 3/2 ⟩ ( n = 38–40) Rydberg pairs are prepared with a three-photon scheme and detected via the state-selective field ionization technique. A weak DC electric field is used to tune the Rydberg pair interaction from the van der Waals interaction regime to the dipole–dipole interaction regime. The Förster resonant interaction and an adiabatic resonance energy transfer between the n P and n S Rydberg states are attained by precisely tuning the electric field. Rydberg excitation blockade with and without the electric field is investigated by changing the excitation pulse duration, which demonstrates that the dipole interaction–induced blockade effect is stronger than the van der Waals interaction–induced blockade effect. The precise control of the Rydberg interaction is of great significance to the coherent interaction in many-body systems and non-radiative collision processes.
State-mixing effect of ultracold nS cesium Rydberg atoms in an external electric field is investigated in a magneto-optical trap. Populated high-l Rydberg atoms due to the state-mixing through avoided crossings are measured with a state-selective field ionization technique. The measured transfer rates of high-l states increase with the electric field and get to the maximum at the field of about 3.0 V/cm for 49S1/2 Rydberg state, and show decrease behavior when the electric field increases further. The decrease behavior of the transfer rate is explained with the slower m-mixing effect caused by decreasing dipole–dipole interactions between high-l Rydberg atoms. During the m-mixing process the ultracold plasma is formed by the Penning ionization.
The lll-mixing effect and state-transfer induced by an external electric field pulse in ultracold Rydberg gases are observed with cesium atoms excited to nS\mathit{nS}nS states, and measured with a state selective field ionization technique. High-lll states are populated from the initially excited nS\mathit{nS}nS states due to non-adiabatic transitions through avoided crossings that are formed between the nS\mathit{nS}nS state and the ($n\ensuremath{-}4$) manifold. The population of the product state is investigated as a function of the electric field pulse parameters. The coherent property of the transfer is demonstrated using a 2-pulse sequence and the results are consistent with the theoretical calculations. This lll-mixing phenomenon in the electric field may be used to help forming a molecular potential and create Rydberg molecules.
The high-l Rydberg Stark states are populated by the state transfer from initial prepared nS Rydberg state via avoided crossings induced by a weak electric-field pulse, and investigated by the state selective field ionization method in a cesium standard magneto-optical trap. The dependences of the transfer rate, given by the ratio of the number of high-l Stark states to all atoms, on the strength and holding time of electric-field pulse are investigated and compared with those with additional ions. The results show that the time evolution of high-l Stark states strongly depends on the electric-field strength, and is affected by the additional ions at relatively weaker field (1.51 V/cm here). The density of Rydberg atoms has a minor effect on the characteristic time of evolution process.