Physical Review A

Rydberg states of rubidium in crossed electric and magnetic fields

Francis Jean Penent, Dominique Delande, J. C. Gay

Published Jun 1, 1988• 48 citations

Abstract

The results of an experimental study of the Rydberg spectrum of rubidium in crossed electric and magnetic fields are reported and compared with theoretical predictions. The present investigations have been conducted in the low-field regime in which the paramagnetic and linear Stark interactions are perturbations to the Coulomb energy. When quantum-defect corrections are negligible, the SO(4) symmetry of the Coulomb interaction organizes the hydrogenic energy spectrum according to the law ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{n}}$,k=-R/${\mathit{n}}^{2}$+\ensuremath{\Elzxh}k(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{L}}^{2}$+${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{S}}^{2}$${)}^{1/2}$, where k is an integer such that -(n-1)\ensuremath{\le}k\ensuremath{\le}(n-1), and ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{L}}$,${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{S}}$, are, respectively, the Larmor and linear Stark frequencies. The experimental evidence for such a quantization is presented in rubidium Rydberg series using Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy. The role of quantum defects is incorporated into the theory and experimentally demonstrated.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.37.4707

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Physical Review A

Rydberg states of rubidium in crossed electric and magnetic fields

Francis Jean Penent, Dominique Delande, J. C. Gay

Published Jun 1, 1988• 48 citations

Publisher

Abstract

{\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{n}}

,k=-R/

{\mathit{n}}^{2}

+\ensuremath{\Elzxh}k(

{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{L}}^{2}

{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{S}}^{2}$${)}^{1/2}

, where k is an integer such that -(n-1)\ensuremath{\le}k\ensuremath{\le}(n-1), and

{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{L}}

{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{S}}

, are, respectively, the Larmor and linear Stark frequencies. The experimental evidence for such a quantization is presented in rubidium Rydberg series using Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy. The role of quantum defects is incorporated into the theory and experimentally demonstrated.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.37.4707

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Jan 1, 20080 citations

{\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{n}}

,k=-R/

{\mathit{n}}^{2}

+\ensuremath{\Elzxh}k(

{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{L}}^{2}

{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{S}}^{2}$${)}^{1/2}

, where k is an integer such that -(n-1)\ensuremath{\le}k\ensuremath{\le}(n-1), and

{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{L}}

{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathit{S}}

We present results of an experimental survey of the

n=15

state of Na in electric fields from 0 to 4 kV/cm. Both linear and higher-order Stark effects play important roles. States with low

|m|

show marked differences from hydrogenic behavior, particularly in the vicinity of level crossings. Computed values for the energy levels are in good agreement with the data. The experimental method provides a simple technique for populating selected Stark or angular momentum levels of a Rydberg state.

6G

tunable laser. Detection is done by field ionization and ion counting. These techniques have allowed us to study the critical ionizing field, which has been found to follow classical, hydrogenic behavior closely. Rydberg states of Rb have been observed from

n=28

up to

n>100

. High-resolution spectroscopic studies have led to measurement of the fine structure for

\mathrm{np}

levels located between

n=28

and

n=60

, as well as the isotope shift of the ground state, $\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\nu}=(172\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}15)$ MHz. Anomalies in the intensity ratio of the doublet $5s\ensuremath{-}np$ transitions have been observed and interpreted as relativistic effects. Perturbations by weak and strong dc electric field are reported. In the case of weak electric fields it is possible to evaluate the polarizability. In the case of strong dc electric fields, new phenomena have been observed and analyzed. We also find experimental evidence of selective photoionization in the presence of an appropriate dc electric field, which could have some applications in laser isotope separation. Finally, we give the preliminary results of an experiment on the effect of a strong nonresonant electromagnetic field on high-lying Rydberg states.