Arizona Univ., Tucson Report
Coherent Transient Effect Studies of Rydberg Atoms.
R. L. Shoemaker, William H. Wing
Abstract
New techniques for making time-resolved studies of atoms in highly excited (Rydberg) states were investigated. In particular, attempts were made to observe coherent transient effects produced via CO2 laser irradiation, from a high density atomic Rydberg vapor produced by stepwise dye laser excitation, but no such effects were observable. It was found that this result was due to a very rapid collisional decay process which occurs in a Rydberg gas at the densities required for transient experiments (approx 10 to the 12th power atoms/cm3). The decay process was studied using ion collection and fluorescence techniques. (Author)