The quenching cross sections of highly excited Rb $ns(25\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}45)$ and Rb $nd(23\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}44)$ states by CO, a weak polar molecule, are measured, and these experimental data are compared to theoretical predictions where the main process responsible for the quenching is taken to be the Rydberg-electron-CO interaction. It is shown that the long-range Rydberg-electron-molecular-dipole interaction is often dominant leading mainly to $n$ -changing and, to a lesser extent, to Rydberg ionization via quasiresonant molecular rotational transitions. It is also shown that the Rydberg-${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ---molecular-quadrupole interaction is negligible and the short-range interaction leading to $l$ -mixing processes is less efficient. The agreement between experimental and theoretical values is quite satisfactory.The quenching cross sections of highly excited Rb $ns(25\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}45)$ and Rb $nd(23\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}44)$ states by CO, a weak polar molecule, are measured, and these experimental data are compared to theoretical predictions where the main process responsible for the quenching is taken to be the Rydberg-electron-CO interaction. It is shown that the long-range Rydberg-electron-molecular-dipole interaction is often dominant leading mainly to $n$-changing and, to a lesser extent, to Rydberg ionization via quasiresonant molecular rotational transitions. It is also shown that the Rydberg-${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ---molecular-quadrupole interaction is negligible and the short-range interaction leading to $l$-mixing processes is less efficient. The agreement between experimental and theoretical values is quite satisfactory.

Physical Review AJul 1, 198431 citations

Rydberg states of molecules

Ch. Jungen

AIP conference proceedingsJan 1, 19951 citation

Charge dynamics of a molecular ion immersed in a Rydberg-dressed atomic lattice gas

Rick Mukherjee

Charge dynamics in an ultracold setup involving a laser-dressed atom and an ion is studied here. This transfer of charge is enabled through molecular Rydberg states that are accessed via a laser. The character of the charge exchange crucially depends on the coupling between the electronic dynamics and the motional dynamics of the atoms and ion. The molecular Rydberg states are characterized and a criterion for distinguishing coherent and incoherent regimes is formulated. Furthermore the concept is generalized to the many-body setup as the ion effectively propagates through a chain of atoms. Aspects of the transport, such as its direction, can be controlled by the excitation laser. This leads to new directions in the investigation of hybrid atom-ion systems that can be experimentally explored using optically trapped strontium atoms.Charge dynamics in an ultracold setup involving a laser-dressed atom and an ion is studied here. This transfer of charge is enabled through molecular Rydberg states that are accessed via a laser. The character of the charge exchange crucially depends on the coupling between the electronic dynamics and the motional dynamics of the atoms and ion. The molecular Rydberg states are characterized and a criterion for distinguishing coherent and incoherent regimes is formulated. Furthermore the concept is generalized to the many-body setup as the ion effectively propagates through a chain of atoms. Aspects of the transport, such as its direction, can be controlled by the excitation laser. This leads to new directions in the investigation of hybrid atom-ion systems that can be experimentally explored using optically trapped strontium atoms.

arXiv:1901.06288Physical Review AJul 8, 201912 citations

n

-changing and, to a lesser extent, to Rydberg ionization via quasiresonant molecular rotational transitions. It is also shown that the Rydberg-${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ ---molecular-quadrupole interaction is negligible and the short-range interaction leading to

l

-mixing processes is less efficient. The agreement between experimental and theoretical values is quite satisfactory.