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:1911.05671 · Physical Review A

Modulation spectroscopy of Rydberg atoms in an optical lattice

Vladimir S. Malinovsky, Kaitlin Moore, Georg A. Raithel

Published Mar 25, 2020• 9 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We develop and study quantum and semiclassical models of Rydberg-atom spectroscopy in amplitude-modulated optical lattices. Both initial- and target-state Rydberg atoms are trapped in the lattice. Unlike in other spectroscopic schemes, the modulation-induced ponderomotive coupling between the Rydberg states is spatially periodic and perfectly phase-locked to the lattice trapping potentials. This leads to a type of sub-Doppler mechanism which we explain in detail. In our exact quantum model, we solve the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation in the product space of center-of-mass (COM) momentum states and the internal-state space. We also develop a perturbative model based on the band structure in the lattice and Fermi's golden rule, as well as a semiclassical trajectory model in which the COM is treated classically and the internal-state dynamics quantum-mechanically. In all models we obtain the spectrum of the target Rydberg-state population versus the lattice modulation frequency, averaged over the initial thermal COM momentum distribution of the atoms. We investigate the quantum-classical correspondence of the problem in several parameter regimes and exhibit spectral features that arise from vibrational COM coherences and rotary-echo effects. Applications in Rydberg-atom spectroscopy are discussed.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.101.033414

Related papers

Trapping Rydberg atoms in optical lattices

Georg A. Raithel, Kelly Cooper Younge, Sarah Elizabeth Anderson +1 more

We study Rydberg atoms in ponderomotive optical lattices. Unlike for ground-state atoms, for Rydberg atoms in an optical lattice the extent of the electronic wave-function can approach the lattice period. This leads to state-dependent adiabatic trapping potentials that are unique to Rydberg atoms. We first discuss a theoretical model of adiabatic lattice potentials of Rydberg atoms. Then, we use microwave spectroscopy to experimentally demonstrate and investigate the state-dependence of the adiabatic potentials of S1/2 Rydberg states of rubidium. The observed microwave spectra depend strongly on both the principal quantum number and the depth of the lattice. A semi-classical simulation is used to explain the features seen in the spectra. Based on the results, we estimate the trapping efficiency of the ponderomotive optical lattice.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Sep 10, 2010•1 citation

Spectroscopy of Rydberg Atoms in a Ponderomotive Optical Lattice

Sarah Elizabeth Anderson, Kelly Cooper Younge, Georg A. Raithel

We study Rydberg atoms in ponderomotive optical lattices. Unlike for ground-state atoms, for Rydberg atoms in an optical lattice, the extent of the electronic wave-function can approach the lattice period. This leads to state-dependent adiabatic trapping potentials that are unique to Rydberg atoms. We use microwave spectroscopy to experimentally demonstrate and investigate the state-dependence of the adiabatic potentials of S1/2 Rydberg states of rubidium. The observed microwave spectra depend strongly on both the principal quantum number and the depth of the lattice. A semi-classical simulation is used to interpret the features seen in the microwave spectra. A large fraction of the Rydberg atoms can be trapped in the ponderomotive optical lattice.

•Jan 1, 2011•0 citations

Driving Alkali Rydberg Transitions with a Phase-Modulated Optical Lattice

Ryan Cardman, Georg A. Raithel

We develop and demonstrate a spectroscopic method for Rydberg-Rydberg transitions using a phase-controlled and -modulated, standing-wave laser field focused on a cloud of cold ^{85}Rb Rydberg atoms. The method is based on the ponderomotive (A^{2}) interaction of the Rydberg electron, which has less-restrictive selection rules than electric-dipole couplings, allowing us to probe both nS_{1/2}→nP_{1/2} and nS_{1/2}→(n+1)S_{1/2} transitions in first order. Without increase in laser power, third- and fourth-order subharmonic drives are employed to access Rydberg transitions in the 40 to 70 GHz frequency range using widely available optical phase modulators in the Ku band (12 to 18 GHz). Measurements agree well with simulations based on the model we develop. The spectra have prominent Doppler-free components with linewidths ≲200 kHz. The method paves the way for optical Doppler-free high-precision spectroscopy of Rydberg-Rydberg transitions and for spatially selective qubit manipulation with μm-scale resolution in Rydberg-based simulators and quantum computers, provided that magic states are chosen and that the atoms are sufficiently cold.

arXiv:2210.01874•Physical Review Letters•Jul 11, 2023•4 citations

State-Dependent Energy Shifts of Rydberg Atoms in a Ponderomotive Optical Lattice

Kelly Cooper Younge, Brenton Knuffman, Sarah Elizabeth Anderson +1 more

We demonstrate the state dependence of the ponderomotive energy shift of Rydberg atoms in an optical lattice using microwave spectroscopy. Unique to Rydberg atoms, this dependence results from a state-dependent aspect ratio between Rydberg-atom size and lattice period. A semiclassical simulation reproduces all features observed in the microwave spectra and indicates the presence of trapped Rydberg atoms.

Physical Review Letters•Apr 27, 2010•56 citations

Tune-out wavelengths and landscape-modulated polarizabilities of alkali-metal Rydberg atoms in infrared optical lattices

Türker Topçu, Andrei Derevianko

Intensity-modulated optical lattice potentials can change sign for an alkali-metal Rydberg atom, and the atoms are not always attracted to intensity minima in optical lattices with wavelengths near the CO${}_{2}$ laser band. Here we demonstrate that such IR lattices can be tuned so that the trapping potential experienced by the Rydberg atom can be made to vanish for atoms in ``targeted'' Rydberg states. Such state-selective trapping of Rydberg atoms can be useful in controlled cold Rydberg collisions, cooling Rydberg states, and species-selective trapping and transport of Rydberg atoms in optical lattices. We tabulate wavelengths at which the trapping potential vanishes for the $ns$, $np$, and $nd$ Rydberg states of Na and Rb atoms and discuss advantages of using such optical lattices for state-selective trapping of Rydberg atoms. We also develop exact analytical expressions for the lattice-induced polarizability for the ${m}_{z}=0$ Rydberg states and derive an accurate formula predicting tune-out wavelengths at which the optical trapping potential becomes invisible to Rydberg atoms in targeted $l=0$ states.

arXiv:1308.6258•Physical Review A•Nov 6, 2013•12 citations

Rydberg-atom trajectories in a ponderomotive optical lattice

Kelly Cooper Younge, Sarah Elizabeth Anderson, Georg A. Raithel

Using semiclassical simulations, we investigate the trajectories and the microwave spectra of Rydberg atoms excited in a ponderomotive optical lattice. We relate distinct features found in the microwave spectra to characteristic types of trajectory. Several methods are presented that are designed to greatly improve the trapping efficiency of the lattice and to generalize the trapping from one to three dimensions.

New Journal of Physics•Nov 17, 2010•8 citations
We develop and study quantum and semiclassical models of Rydberg-atom spectroscopy in amplitude-modulated optical lattices. Both initial- and target-state Rydberg atoms are trapped in the lattice. Unlike in other spectroscopic schemes, the modulation-induced ponderomotive coupling between the Rydberg states is spatially periodic and perfectly phase-locked to the lattice trapping potentials. This leads to a type of sub-Doppler mechanism which we explain in detail. In our exact quantum model, we solve the time-dependent Schr"odinger equation in the product space of center-of-mass (COM) momentum states and the internal-state space. We also develop a perturbative model based on the band structure in the lattice and Fermi's golden rule, as well as a semiclassical trajectory model in which the COM is treated classically and the internal-state dynamics quantum-mechanically. In all models we obtain the spectrum of the target Rydberg-state population versus the lattice modulation frequency, averaged over the initial thermal COM momentum distribution of the atoms. We investigate the quantum-classical correspondence of the problem in several parameter regimes and exhibit spectral features that arise from vibrational COM coherences and rotary-echo effects. Applications in Rydberg-atom spectroscopy are discussed.
We study Rydberg atoms in ponderomotive optical lattices. Unlike for ground-state atoms, for Rydberg atoms in an optical lattice the extent of the electronic wave-function can approach the lattice period. This leads to state-dependent adiabatic trapping potentials that are unique to Rydberg atoms. We first discuss a theoretical model of adiabatic lattice potentials of Rydberg atoms. Then, we use microwave spectroscopy to experimentally demonstrate and investigate the state-dependence of the adiabatic potentials of S1/2 Rydberg states of rubidium. The observed microwave spectra depend strongly on both the principal quantum number and the depth of the lattice. A semi-classical simulation is used to explain the features seen in the spectra. Based on the results, we estimate the trapping efficiency of the ponderomotive optical lattice.
We study Rydberg atoms in ponderomotive optical lattices. Unlike for ground-state atoms, for Rydberg atoms in an optical lattice, the extent of the electronic wave-function can approach the lattice period. This leads to state-dependent adiabatic trapping potentials that are unique to Rydberg atoms. We use microwave spectroscopy to experimentally demonstrate and investigate the state-dependence of the adiabatic potentials of S1/2 Rydberg states of rubidium. The observed microwave spectra depend strongly on both the principal quantum number and the depth of the lattice. A semi-classical simulation is used to interpret the features seen in the microwave spectra. A large fraction of the Rydberg atoms can be trapped in the ponderomotive optical lattice.
We develop and demonstrate a spectroscopic method for Rydberg-Rydberg transitions using a phase-controlled and -modulated, standing-wave laser field focused on a cloud of cold ^{85}Rb Rydberg atoms. The method is based on the ponderomotive (A^{2}) interaction of the Rydberg electron, which has less-restrictive selection rules than electric-dipole couplings, allowing us to probe both nS_{1/2}→nP_{1/2} and nS_{1/2}→(n+1)S_{1/2} transitions in first order. Without increase in laser power, third- and fourth-order subharmonic drives are employed to access Rydberg transitions in the 40 to 70 GHz frequency range using widely available optical phase modulators in the Ku band (12 to 18 GHz). Measurements agree well with simulations based on the model we develop. The spectra have prominent Doppler-free components with linewidths ≲200 kHz. The method paves the way for optical Doppler-free high-precision spectroscopy of Rydberg-Rydberg transitions and for spatially selective qubit manipulation with μm-scale resolution in Rydberg-based simulators and quantum computers, provided that magic states are chosen and that the atoms are sufficiently cold.
Intensity-modulated optical lattice potentials can change sign for an alkali-metal Rydberg atom, and the atoms are not always attracted to intensity minima in optical lattices with wavelengths near the CO2{}_{2}2​ laser band. Here we demonstrate that such IR lattices can be tuned so that the trapping potential experienced by the Rydberg atom can be made to vanish for atoms in ``targeted'' Rydberg states. Such state-selective trapping of Rydberg atoms can be useful in controlled cold Rydberg collisions, cooling Rydberg states, and species-selective trapping and transport of Rydberg atoms in optical lattices. We tabulate wavelengths at which the trapping potential vanishes for the nsnsns, npnpnp, and ndndnd Rydberg states of Na and Rb atoms and discuss advantages of using such optical lattices for state-selective trapping of Rydberg atoms. We also develop exact analytical expressions for the lattice-induced polarizability for the mz=0{m}_{z}=0mz​=0 Rydberg states and derive an accurate formula predicting tune-out wavelengths at which the optical trapping potential becomes invisible to Rydberg atoms in targeted l=0l=0l=0 states.