Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Lifetime measurement of ultracold caesium Rydberg states

Zhigang Feng, Linjie Zhang, Jianming Zhao, Changyong Li, Suotang Jia

Published Jun 17, 2009• 27 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We measure the nS and nD (n = 30–40) state lifetimes of caesium Rydberg atoms in a conventional magneto-optical trap using the field ionization technique, which is consistent with the existing theoretical model through suppressing collisions and super-radiance effects. We also investigate variation of the lifetimes with densities of Rydberg atoms by changing the pulse energy of the dye laser. The results indicate that collisions and super-radiance effects have a large influence on the accuracy of lifetime measurement at high densities of Rydberg atoms.

DOI
10.1088/0953-4075/42/14/145303

Related papers

Collisional cross-sections measurement of ultracold caesium Rydberg states

Zhigang Feng, Linjie Zhang, Hao Zhang +3 more

We measure the total collisional cross-sections of caesium Rydberg nD ( n =37–40) states by measuring the corresponding effective decay rates versus Rydberg atoms density in a conventional magneto-optical trap using the state-selective pulse field ionization technique. The results indicate that the large collisional cross-sections mainly come from the contribution of Rydberg atoms interactions. We also obtain the spontaneous radiative lifetimes of different Rydberg states by fitting experimental data, which are in agreement with the existing theoretical values within experimental error.

Europhysics Letters (EPL)•Oct 1, 2010•8 citations

Investigation of Collisional Cross Sections of 40SState Using Ultracold Caesium Rydberg Gas

Zhigang Feng, Jianming Zhao, Suotang Jia +1 more

The total collisional cross sections of caesium Rydberg 40 S state is obtained by measuring the corresponding effective decay rates as a function of Rydberg atoms density in a conventional magneto-optical trap using the state-selective pulse field ionization technique. We investigate the collisional properties for different Rydberg atomic densities in detail. The results indicate that the Rydberg atomic interaction induced collisions is the dominant mechanism leading to the large collisional cross sections.

Journal of the Physical Society of Japan•Jun 20, 2012•1 citation

Lifetime Measurement of Cesium Atoms Using a Cold Rydberg Gas

Rong Song, Jingxu Bai, Yuechun Jiao +2 more

The lifetimes of nS1/2 and nD5/2 (n = 60–83) cesium Rydberg states are measured accurately in a magneto-optical trap using the field ionization technique and analyzed with the existing theoretical model. The room temperature blackbody radiation (BBR) and interaction between Rydberg atoms can enhance the decay rate and reduce the spontaneous lifetime of the given Rydberg atom. The measured lifetime shows a good agreement with the calculation accounting a room temperature BBR at low enough Rydberg atomic density. The dependence of measured lifetime on atomic density shows that the collision and interaction between Rydberg atoms have a large effect on the lifetime at higher Rydberg atomic density. The scaling laws of n2.55±0.02 for nD5/2 state and n2.30±0.01 for nS1/2 state within n = 60–83 range are obtained and agreement with the model calculation with a relative deviation less than 3%.

Applied Sciences•Mar 5, 2022•5 citations

Radiative lifetime measurements of rubidium Rydberg states

Drew Branden, T Juhasz, Tatenda Mahlokozera +5 more

We have measured the radiative lifetimes of ns, np and nd Rydberg states of rubidium in the range 28 < n < 45. To enable long-lived states to be measured, our experiment uses slow-moving Rb atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). Two experimental techniques have been adopted to reduce random and systematic errors. First, a narrow-bandwidth pulsed laser is used to excite the target Rydberg state, resulting in minimal shot-to-shot variation in the initial state population. Second, we monitor the target state population as a function of time delay from the laser pulse using a short-duration, millimetre-wave pulse that is resonant with a one- or two-photon transition. We then selectively field ionize the monitor state, and detect the resulting electrons with a micro-channel plate. This signal is an accurate mirror of the target state population, and is uncontaminated by contributions from other states which are populated by black body radiation. Our results are generally consistent with other recent experimental results obtained using a less sensitive method, and are also in excellent agreement with theory.

arXiv:0910.1073•Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Dec 8, 2009•64 citations

Measurement of quantum defects ofnS andnD states using field ionization spectroscopy in ultracold cesium atoms

Linjie Zhang, Zhigang Feng, LI An-Ling +3 more

This paper reports that ultracold atoms are populated into different nS and nD Rydberg states (n = 25~52) by two-photon excitation. The ionization spectrum of an ultracold Rydberg atom is acquired in a cesium magneto-optical trap by using the method of pulse field ionization. This denotes nS and nD states in the ionization spectrum and fits the data of energy levels of different Rydberg states to obtain quantum defects of nS and nD states.

Chinese Physics B•May 1, 2009•6 citations

Excitation Dynamics of Ultracold Cesium nS Rydberg Atoms

Hao Zhang, Junling Che, Zhigang Feng +3 more

Ultracold cesium n S ( n =60–70) Rydberg atoms are prepared using the two-photon scheme in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). The number of resonant Rydberg atoms is measured by the pulsed field ionization technique, and the dependences of the Rydberg signal on excitation duration and external DC electric field are investigated. The excitation dynamics and blockade effects due to long-range interactions are obtained. The effect of external electric field on Rydberg excitation is also investigated, and the experimental result shows an enhanced blockade with a weak external electric field.

Journal of the Physical Society of Japan•Sep 22, 2011•2 citations
We measure the nS and nD (n = 30–40) state lifetimes of caesium Rydberg atoms in a conventional magneto-optical trap using the field ionization technique, which is consistent with the existing theoretical model through suppressing collisions and super-radiance effects. We also investigate variation of the lifetimes with densities of Rydberg atoms by changing the pulse energy of the dye laser. The results indicate that collisions and super-radiance effects have a large influence on the accuracy of lifetime measurement at high densities of Rydberg atoms.
We measure the total collisional cross-sections of caesium Rydberg nD ( n =37–40) states by measuring the corresponding effective decay rates versus Rydberg atoms density in a conventional magneto-optical trap using the state-selective pulse field ionization technique. The results indicate that the large collisional cross-sections mainly come from the contribution of Rydberg atoms interactions. We also obtain the spontaneous radiative lifetimes of different Rydberg states by fitting experimental data, which are in agreement with the existing theoretical values within experimental error.
The total collisional cross sections of caesium Rydberg 40 S state is obtained by measuring the corresponding effective decay rates as a function of Rydberg atoms density in a conventional magneto-optical trap using the state-selective pulse field ionization technique. We investigate the collisional properties for different Rydberg atomic densities in detail. The results indicate that the Rydberg atomic interaction induced collisions is the dominant mechanism leading to the large collisional cross sections.
The lifetimes of nS1/2 and nD5/2 (n = 60–83) cesium Rydberg states are measured accurately in a magneto-optical trap using the field ionization technique and analyzed with the existing theoretical model. The room temperature blackbody radiation (BBR) and interaction between Rydberg atoms can enhance the decay rate and reduce the spontaneous lifetime of the given Rydberg atom. The measured lifetime shows a good agreement with the calculation accounting a room temperature BBR at low enough Rydberg atomic density. The dependence of measured lifetime on atomic density shows that the collision and interaction between Rydberg atoms have a large effect on the lifetime at higher Rydberg atomic density. The scaling laws of n2.55±0.02 for nD5/2 state and n2.30±0.01 for nS1/2 state within n = 60–83 range are obtained and agreement with the model calculation with a relative deviation less than 3%.
We have measured the radiative lifetimes of ns, np and nd Rydberg states of rubidium in the range 28 < n < 45. To enable long-lived states to be measured, our experiment uses slow-moving Rb atoms in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). Two experimental techniques have been adopted to reduce random and systematic errors. First, a narrow-bandwidth pulsed laser is used to excite the target Rydberg state, resulting in minimal shot-to-shot variation in the initial state population. Second, we monitor the target state population as a function of time delay from the laser pulse using a short-duration, millimetre-wave pulse that is resonant with a one- or two-photon transition. We then selectively field ionize the monitor state, and detect the resulting electrons with a micro-channel plate. This signal is an accurate mirror of the target state population, and is uncontaminated by contributions from other states which are populated by black body radiation. Our results are generally consistent with other recent experimental results obtained using a less sensitive method, and are also in excellent agreement with theory.
Ultracold cesium n S ( n =60–70) Rydberg atoms are prepared using the two-photon scheme in a magneto-optical trap (MOT). The number of resonant Rydberg atoms is measured by the pulsed field ionization technique, and the dependences of the Rydberg signal on excitation duration and external DC electric field are investigated. The excitation dynamics and blockade effects due to long-range interactions are obtained. The effect of external electric field on Rydberg excitation is also investigated, and the experimental result shows an enhanced blockade with a weak external electric field.