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Physical Review A

Influence of electric fields on background photo- and collisional ionization processes in Rydberg-atom collision studies

S. B. Hill, R. Parthasarathy, L. Suess, F. B. Dunning

Published Jun 13, 2000• 2 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Studies of Rydberg atom collision processes, especially those with small reaction rate constants, are frequently complicated by spurious background signals associated with photoionization by thermal blackbody radiation and with ionization resulting from collisions with background gas. Here we demonstrate that the magnitude and relative importance of the signals that result from these processes are strongly influenced by the presence of an applied electric field. Possible causes of this dependence are discussed.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.62.015403

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Studies of Rydberg atom collision processes, especially those with small reaction rate constants, are frequently complicated by spurious background signals associated with photoionization by thermal blackbody radiation and with ionization resulting from collisions with background gas. Here we demonstrate that the magnitude and relative importance of the signals that result from these processes are strongly influenced by the presence of an applied electric field. Possible causes of this dependence are discussed.
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The outer electron of a Rydberg atom is so weakly bound to the atomic core that a relatively small electric field may cause the electron to be stripped from the atom. The field strength at which this ionization happens is strongly dependent on the state of the Rydberg atom. Pulsed electric field ionization serves, therefore, not only as a means by which a Rydberg atom may be efficiently detected, but also a means by which the state of the Rydberg atom may be analyzed.\nThe first observation of predominantly diabatic passage to field ionization of a non-hydrogenic Rydberg atom has resulted in an improved understanding of the adiabatic and diabatic ionization processes. The magnitudes of the various field ionization features have been measured and found to agree with theory, and by detailed analysis, it is now possible to label the various field ionization signal features with the appropriate (VBAR)m(,l)(VBAR) quantum numbers. A much better understanding of the laser excitation process, the Rydberg state production, and the response of the excited state to an increasing electric field has enabled measurement of some Rydberg fine-structure intervals, through observation of field ionization quantum beats.
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We have studied ionization of alkali-metal Rydberg atoms by blackbody radiation (BBR). The results of theoretical calculations of ionization rates of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs Rydberg atoms are presented. The calculations have been performed for n S, n P and n D states for principal quantum numbers n =8–65 at ambient temperatures of 77, 300 and 600 K. The calculations take into account the contributions of BBR-induced redistribution of population between Rydberg states prior to photoionization and field ionization by extraction electric field pulses. The obtained results show that these phenomena affect both the magnitude of the measured ionization rates and their n dependence. A Cooper minimum for BBR-induced transitions between bound Rydberg states of Li has been found. The calculated ionization rates are compared with our earlier measurements of BBR-induced ionization rates of Na n S and n D Rydberg states with n =8–20 at 300 K. Good agreement for all states except n S with n >15 is observed. Useful analytical formulae for quick estimates of BBR ionization rates of Rydberg atoms are presented. Application of BBR-induced ionization signal to measurements of collisional ionization rates is demonstrated.