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arXiv:2309.04749 · Physical Review A

Microwave spectroscopy and Zeeman effect of cesium ( n + 2 ) D 5 / 2 → n F J Rydberg transitions

Jingxu Bai, Rong Song, Xijun Li, Yuechun Jiao, Georg A. Raithel, Jianming Zhao, Suotang Jia

Published Feb 27, 2024• 6 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

We report on high-resolution microwave spectroscopy of cesium Rydberg $(n+2){D}_{5/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}n{F}_{J}$ transitions in a cold atomic gas. Atoms laser-cooled and trapped in a magnetic-optical trap are prepared in the $D$ Rydberg state using a two-step laser excitation scheme. A microwave field transmitted into the chamber with a microwave horn drives the Rydberg transitions, which are probed via state selective field ionization. Varying duration and power of the microwave pulse, we observe Fourier sideband spectra as well as damped, on-resonant Rabi oscillations with pulse areas up to $\ensuremath{\gtrsim}3\ensuremath{\pi}$. Furthermore, we investigate the Zeeman effect of the clearly resolved $n{F}_{J}$ fine-structure levels in fields up to 120 mG, where the transition into $n{F}_{7/2}$ displays a thee-peak Zeeman pattern, while $n{F}_{5/2}$ shows a two-peak pattern. Our theoretical models explain all observed spectral characteristics, showing good agreement with the experiment. Our measurements provide a pathway for the study of high-angular-momentum Rydberg states, initialization and coherent manipulation of such states, Rydberg-atom macrodimers, and other Rydberg-atom interactions. Furthermore, the presented methods are suitable for calibration of microwave radiation as well as for nulling and calibration of dc magnetic fields in experimental chambers for cold atoms.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.109.022818

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We report on high-resolution microwave spectroscopy of cesium Rydberg (n+2)D5/2\ensuremath→nFJ(n+2){D}_{5/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}n{F}_{J}(n+2)D5/2​\ensuremath→nFJ​ transitions in a cold atomic gas. Atoms laser-cooled and trapped in a magnetic-optical trap are prepared in the DDD Rydberg state using a two-step laser excitation scheme. A microwave field transmitted into the chamber with a microwave horn drives the Rydberg transitions, which are probed via state selective field ionization. Varying duration and power of the microwave pulse, we observe Fourier sideband spectra as well as damped, on-resonant Rabi oscillations with pulse areas up to \ensuremath≳3\ensuremathπ\ensuremath{\gtrsim}3\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath≳3\ensuremathπ. Furthermore, we investigate the Zeeman effect of the clearly resolved nFJn{F}_{J}nFJ​ fine-structure levels in fields up to 120 mG, where the transition into nF7/2n{F}_{7/2}nF7/2​ displays a thee-peak Zeeman pattern, while nF5/2n{F}_{5/2}nF5/2​ shows a two-peak pattern. Our theoretical models explain all observed spectral characteristics, showing good agreement with the experiment. Our measurements provide a pathway for the study of high-angular-momentum Rydberg states, initialization and coherent manipulation of such states, Rydberg-atom macrodimers, and other Rydberg-atom interactions. Furthermore, the presented methods are suitable for calibration of microwave radiation as well as for nulling and calibration of dc magnetic fields in experimental chambers for cold atoms.
We perform measurements of microwave spectra of cesium Rydberg 51 S 1/2 → 51 P J transitions with the linewidth approaching the Fourier limit. A two-photon scheme excites the ground-state atoms to the Rydberg 51 S 1/2 state, and a weak microwave photon couples the Rydberg transition of 51 S 1/2 → 51 P J . The hyperfine structure of 51 P 1/2 can be clearly resolved with a narrow linewidth microwave spectra by using the method of ion detection. Furthermore, we investigate the Zeeman effect of the 51 P 1/2,3/2 state. The theoretical calculations reproduce the measurement well. Our experimental measurements provide a reliable technical solution for the investigation of high angular momentum Rydberg states, which is conducive to further realizing the coherent manipulation of Rydberg energy levels and improving the sensitivity of electromagnetic field measurement.
We present precise measurements of the quantum defects of cesium nFJn{F}_{J}nFJ​ Rydberg levels. We employ high-precision microwave spectroscopy of $(n+2){D}_{5/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}n{F}_{5/2,7/2}$ transitions for n=45n=45n=45 to 50 in a cold-atom setup. Cold cesium (n+2)D5/2(n+2){D}_{5/2}(n+2)D5/2​ atoms, prepared via two-photon laser excitation, are probed by scanning weak microwave fields interacting with the atoms across the nF5/2,7/2n{F}_{5/2,7/2}nF5/2,7/2​ resonances. Transition spectra are acquired using state-selective electric-field ionization and time-gated ion detection. Transition-frequency intervals are obtained by Lorentzian fits to the measured spectral lines, which have linewidths ranging between 70 and 190 kHz, corresponding to about one to three times the Fourier limit. A comprehensive analysis of relevant line-shift uncertainties and line-broadening effects is conducted. We find quantum defect parameters ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{0}({F}_{5/2})=0.033\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}415\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}37(70)$ and ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{2}({F}_{5/2})=\ensuremath{-}0.2014(16)$, as well as ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{0}({F}_{7/2})=0.033\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}564\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}6(13)$ and ${\ensuremath{\delta}}_{2}({F}_{7/2})=\ensuremath{-}0.2052(29)$, for J=5/2J=5/2J=5/2 and 7/27/27/2, respectively. Fine-structure parameters AFS{A}_{\mathrm{FS}}AFS​ and BFS{B}_{\mathrm{FS}}BFS​ for Cs nFJn{F}_{J}nFJ​ are also obtained. Results are discussed in context with previous works, and the significance of the results is discussed.
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Trap loss spectroscopy, based on fluorescence detection, provides a real-time measurement technique that is advantageous for ultra-cold atomic systems, to monitor the interaction between microwave fields and Rydberg atoms. By employing the polarization combinations of excitation lasers and microwave fields, we achieve trap loss spectroscopy of multi-path transitions in magnetic Rydberg hyperfine states and observe Zeeman broadening. The contributions of laser power, Zeeman effect, and collision effects to the broadening of the trap loss spectrum were comprehensively analyzed. Additionally, we have observed the broadening and splitting of the trap loss spectrum in response to variations in microwave field power and frequency. The transition from broadening to splitting of the spectral profile is observed with an increase in microwave field power. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of trap loss spectroscopy exhibited a proportional relationship with the square root of microwave power, while the peak separation demonstrated a direct proportionality with higher microwave power. Our detailed exploration of trap loss spectroscopy under microwave fields may provide what we believe to be a novel approach for microwave field sensing.
Transitions between high Rydberg states of 133{}^{133}133Cs atoms have been studied by high-resolution millimeter-wave spectroscopy of an ultracold sample. The spectroscopic measurements were performed after releasing the atoms from a magneto-optical trap. Switching off all trapping fields and compensating the stray electric and magnetic fields to below 1 mV/cm and 2 mG, respectively, prior to the spectroscopic measurement enabled the recording of millimeter-wave spectra of Rydberg states with principal quantum number beyond n=100n=100n=100 under conditions where the inhomogeneous broadening by stray fields is minimal and no dephasing of the Rydberg-atom sample can be detected over measurement times up to 60 $\ensuremath{\mu}$s. The Fourier-transform-limited line widths of better than 20 kHz enabled the observation of the hyperfine structure of nSnSnS and nPnPnP Rydberg states of Cs beyond n=90n=90n=90. The analysis of the line shapes of transitions to Rydberg states with $n\ensuremath{\approx}230$ indicated that field inhomogeneities across the atomic sample represent the dominant cause of spectral broadening at high nnn values. The analysis also revealed that the initial polarization of the atomic sample (F=4F=4F=4, MF=4{M}_{F}=4MF​=4) is preserved for several tens of microseconds, the depolarization being caused by slow precession along the magnetic stray fields.
In highly excited Rydberg atoms, the excited electron is in a large, loosely bound orbit. Hence, in contrast with the ground states, the Rydberg states are very sensitive to external electric field and can be ionized in rather weak fields. The low ionization threshold of Rydberg states results in effective state-specific detection by the selective field ionization technique. \t In this thesis, high-resolution spectroscopy of Rydberg states of Rubidium using millimeter wave transitions and selective field ionization has been used as a probe of external electric and magnetic fields. Laser cooling and trapping techniques in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are employed to have a high density and narrow velocity distribution for the atomic sample. In this work the magnetic field inhomogeneity inherent in a MOT is minimized and the stray electric field present at the trap region is compensated in order to have resolved spectra. The Stark line broadening of the spectra obtained in this work may be used to determine the electric field distribution in an expanding ultra-cold neutral plasma.