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 the Optical Society of America B

Double-Rydberg spectroscopy of the barium atom

Jacques Boulmer, Pierre Camus, P. Pillet

Published May 1, 1987• 43 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Methods of excitation and analysis of double-Rydberg states of the neutral barium atom are discussed. Spectra of 9dn′d double-Rydberg series of barium are studied and interpreted in a two-channel quantum-defect model. An example of stabilization for the 9d5/227d state is shown. We propose a new investigative method for Rydberg levels of the Ba+ ion that is based on a microwave-ionization process coupled with a double time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This novel setup permits us to obtain initial experimental evidence of highly excited double-Rydberg states, 26dn′p and 27sn′p (n′ ≳ 45), of the barium atom.

DOI
10.1364/josab.4.000805

Related papers

Limitation of sequential laser excitation for double-Rydberg autoionizing states of barium and quantum-defect approach

Jacques Boulmer, Pierre Camus, J. M. Lecomte +1 more

The limitations of methods of excitation and analysis of double-Rydberg states of neutral barium atoms are discussed. Excitation spectra of the type 6snd → 9dn′d are studied and interpreted in a two-channel quantum-defect model for n ≥ 15. No resonance is observed for n < 15, which fixes the limit of the possibilities of the sequential laser excitation. Similar behavior is observed for excitation spectra 6snp → 26dn′p and 6snp → 27sn′p for n < 39.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Oct 1, 1988•15 citations

Technique to study Rydberg states by multiphoton ionization spectroscopy

R. D. Verma, Alak Chanda

A new technique to study the Rydberg states of the barium atom has been developed. In this technique a multiphoton ionization signal is detected by selective excitation of the ground-state ion (6s) to an excited state (6p), which results in a collimated amplified spontaneous emission signal at the 6p → 5d transition of Ba+. Discrete Rydberg states, 6snl (l = 0, 2), as well as autoionizing Rydberg states, 5dnl (l = 0, 2) and 6pnl (l = 0, 2) are observed by this novel but simple method.

Journal of the Optical Society of America B•Jan 1, 1988•6 citations

Novel Experimental Method in the Study of Double Rydberg States by Laser Resonance Excitation

XU Xiangyua

We describe a novel experimental method by introducing sequential ionization with a pulsed and a strong constant electric field in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This method is applied to study laser-excited double Rydberg states of neutral ytterbium atom, with the ionic resonance background in the spectrum of the double Rydberg states of Yb being greatly suppressed.

中国激光(英文版)•Jan 1, 1997•0 citations

Microwave ionization of Rydberg states of the barium ion

M. Seng, U. Eichmann, Volker Lange +2 more

\n \nWe have investigated the electric field ionization of highly excited (ns)\nand (nd) Rydberg states of the barium ion by microwave fields. For states\nwith a principal quantum number $n\\leq 40$ the observed microwave ionization\nthreshold fields show the $Z^3/3n^5$ dependence expected on the basis of\npreviously observed ionization of neutral Rydberg states with Z=1. We show\nthat for states in this n regime microwave ionization is a state selective\ndetection technique. Threshold fields for states with n> 40, however,\ndepart from the expected behaviour, the thresholds become broader and shift\nto higher fields. For a total of 58 states we present the field strengths\nwhere 90% , 50% and 10% ionization occur.\n\n\n

The European Physical Journal D•Jan 1, 1998•3 citations

Resonance spectra of Ba Rydberg atom in electric field above the ionization limit

Jiakun Xu, Wenjie Yu, Qing Ye

Stark spectra of barium Rydberg states above the classical field-ionization limit have been recorded employing high-resolution laser spectroscopy with π and σ polarization.The resonance structure is observed obviously in experiment, and the theoretical calculations considering the core effect are well in coincidence with the experimental observation.

International Photonics and Optoelectronics Meetings•Jan 1, 2017•0 citations

Two-photon spectra of Rydberg states of alkaline-earth atoms (strontium and barium)

G. Philip

The even-parity spectra of strontium and barium are very complex due to strong perturbation by several doubly excited configurations and this also increases discrepancies between theory and experiment in accurate level assignment and energy level and atomic structure data, particularly for the spectra of highly excited atoms and their behaviour in external fields and collisional processes which are of fundamental importance in the emerging applications in physics of cold atoms, quantum computing, precision atomic clocks and in the crossed-field problem. This thesis presents results from an experimental study to improve and extend the previously published observations in the two-photon spectra of the high-lying Rydberg states of SrI and Bal placed under a variety of test conditions such as external fields, collisions etc. Orthogonal excitation of a novel atomic jet in a purpose-built heat-pipe setup using a Xenon Chloride excimer laser pumped tunable narrow bandwidth dye laser and high sensitivity space-charge ionization in thermionic diode with complimentary optical detection was used for measurements. Presented are the two-photon spectra covering the dye laser wavelength (air) range of 460 - 425 nm for strontium and 495 - 467 nm for barium by which the J = 0,2 even-parity Rydberg series and autoionizing resonances just above the ionization limits labeled as; (4d2+5p2) 1D2 in strontium and 5d5f2p1 in barium were observed. Original new energy level values are presented with substantial extension to the data in the literature for even-parity Rydberg series: Sr I: 5sns 1S0 (12 < n < 46), 5snd 3D2 (9 < n < 47) and 5snd 1D2 (9 < n < 82) Ba I: 6sns 1S0 (13 < n < 68), 6snd 3D2 (11 < n < 46) and 6snd 1D2 (11 < n < 88) New observation of certain anomalies including a Stark shift reversal effect and zero-field thermionic diode detection with remarkable sensitivity preserving all spectral features of Rydberg states is also presented. Controlled configuration mixing by exploiting electric field and collisions has allowed new observations for the two-photon forbidden odd-parity Rydberg series of SrI: 5s2 1S0 -> 5snp 1P1o (32 < n < 46) and 5s2 1S0 -> 5snf 1F30 (29 < n < 44) Extensive study of collision involving Rydberg atoms with neutral rare gas atoms has allowed to obtain new data for shift and broadening rates for Sr I series: 5sns 1S0 and 5snd 1,3D2 in the perturbed region which clearly exhibit Ramsauer effect. Collisional evolution of a remarkably broad resonance, labeled as 4d2 1G4, also exhibiting Ramsauer effect, is presented besides new level data for strontium 4d2 3PJ states accessed by two distinct processes- direct two-photon excitation and single-photon sequential excitation. Furthermore, the thesis presents the results of a novel experimental technique involving time-resolved gated pulsed field detection technique (GPT) employed for the first time to examine the time decay of Rydberg atoms yielding their effective lifetimes.

•Jan 1, 2008•0 citations
Methods of excitation and analysis of double-Rydberg states of the neutral barium atom are discussed. Spectra of 9dn′d double-Rydberg series of barium are studied and interpreted in a two-channel quantum-defect model. An example of stabilization for the 9d5/227d state is shown. We propose a new investigative method for Rydberg levels of the Ba+ ion that is based on a microwave-ionization process coupled with a double time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This novel setup permits us to obtain initial experimental evidence of highly excited double-Rydberg states, 26dn′p and 27sn′p (n′ ≳ 45), of the barium atom.
\n \nWe have investigated the electric field ionization of highly excited (ns)\nand (nd) Rydberg states of the barium ion by microwave fields. For states\nwith a principal quantum number nleq40n\\leq 40nleq40 the observed microwave ionization\nthreshold fields show the Z3/3n5Z^3/3n^5Z3/3n5 dependence expected on the basis of\npreviously observed ionization of neutral Rydberg states with Z=1. We show\nthat for states in this n regime microwave ionization is a state selective\ndetection technique. Threshold fields for states with n> 40, however,\ndepart from the expected behaviour, the thresholds become broader and shift\nto higher fields. For a total of 58 states we present the field strengths\nwhere 90% , 50% and 10% ionization occur.\n\n\n
The even-parity spectra of strontium and barium are very complex due to strong perturbation by several doubly excited configurations and this also increases discrepancies between theory and experiment in accurate level assignment and energy level and atomic structure data, particularly for the spectra of highly excited atoms and their behaviour in external fields and collisional processes which are of fundamental importance in the emerging applications in physics of cold atoms, quantum computing, precision atomic clocks and in the crossed-field problem. This thesis presents results from an experimental study to improve and extend the previously published observations in the two-photon spectra of the high-lying Rydberg states of SrI and Bal placed under a variety of test conditions such as external fields, collisions etc. Orthogonal excitation of a novel atomic jet in a purpose-built heat-pipe setup using a Xenon Chloride excimer laser pumped tunable narrow bandwidth dye laser and high sensitivity space-charge ionization in thermionic diode with complimentary optical detection was used for measurements. Presented are the two-photon spectra covering the dye laser wavelength (air) range of 460 - 425 nm for strontium and 495 - 467 nm for barium by which the J = 0,2 even-parity Rydberg series and autoionizing resonances just above the ionization limits labeled as; (4d2+5p2) 1D2 in strontium and 5d5f2p1 in barium were observed. Original new energy level values are presented with substantial extension to the data in the literature for even-parity Rydberg series: Sr I: 5sns 1S0 (12 < n < 46), 5snd 3D2 (9 < n < 47) and 5snd 1D2 (9 < n < 82) Ba I: 6sns 1S0 (13 < n < 68), 6snd 3D2 (11 < n < 46) and 6snd 1D2 (11 < n < 88) New observation of certain anomalies including a Stark shift reversal effect and zero-field thermionic diode detection with remarkable sensitivity preserving all spectral features of Rydberg states is also presented. Controlled configuration mixing by exploiting electric field and collisions has allowed new observations for the two-photon forbidden odd-parity Rydberg series of SrI: 5s2 1S0 -> 5snp 1P1o (32 < n < 46) and 5s2 1S0 -> 5snf 1F30 (29 < n < 44) Extensive study of collision involving Rydberg atoms with neutral rare gas atoms has allowed to obtain new data for shift and broadening rates for Sr I series: 5sns 1S0 and 5snd 1,3D2 in the perturbed region which clearly exhibit Ramsauer effect. Collisional evolution of a remarkably broad resonance, labeled as 4d2 1G4, also exhibiting Ramsauer effect, is presented besides new level data for strontium 4d2 3PJ states accessed by two distinct processes- direct two-photon excitation and single-photon sequential excitation. Furthermore, the thesis presents the results of a novel experimental technique involving time-resolved gated pulsed field detection technique (GPT) employed for the first time to examine the time decay of Rydberg atoms yielding their effective lifetimes.