Physical Review A

Comment on “Measurement of the lifetimes of S and D states below n=31 using cold Rydberg gas”

Duncan Tate

Published Jun 29, 2007• 8 citations

Abstract

A recent paper by [Nascimento et al., Phys. Rev. A 74, 054501 (2006)], and a previous paper from the same group [de Oliveira et al., Phys. Rev. A 65 031401(R) (2002)], report measurements of Rydberg lifetimes in rubidium in the range $27\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}44$. In this Comment, we point out one apparent flaw of experimental technique in these papers that may lead to systematic errors in the results. We also clarify a point of theoretical interpretation used in these papers which suggests that the agreement between experiment and theory may not be as good as it seems.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.75.066502

Related papers

Measurement of the lifetimes of S and D states below n=31 using cold Rydberg gas

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Physical Review ANov 13, 200627 citations

Reply to “Comment on ‘Measurement of the lifetimes of S and D states below n=31 using cold Rydberg gas”’

L. L. Caliri, Luís Gustavo Marcassa

Physical Review AJun 29, 200710 citations

Radiative lifetime measurements of rubidium Rydberg states

Drew Branden, T Juhasz, Tatenda Mahlokozera +5 more

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Highly excited Rydberg states of a rubidium atom: Theory versus experiments

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Physical Review AApr 16, 201411 citations

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Combining experiments and relativistic theory for establishing accurate radiative quantities in atoms: The lifetime of the 2P3/2 state in Ca+40

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arXiv:1909.10516Physical Review AJan 14, 202010 citations

Physical Review A

Comment on “Measurement of the lifetimes of S and D states below n=31 using cold Rydberg gas”

Duncan Tate

Published Jun 29, 2007• 8 citations

Publisher

Abstract

27\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}44

. In this Comment, we point out one apparent flaw of experimental technique in these papers that may lead to systematic errors in the results. We also clarify a point of theoretical interpretation used in these papers which suggests that the agreement between experiment and theory may not be as good as it seems.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.75.066502

Related papers

Measurement of the lifetimes of S and D states below n=31 using cold Rydberg gas

Valter Aragão do Nascimento, L. L. Caliri, A. L. de Oliveira +2 more

In this paper we have extended our previous work [de Oliveira et al., Phys. Rev. A 65, 031401 (2002)] by measuring the $S$ and $D$ Rydberg lifetimes for $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ for principal quantum number between $n=26$ and 31 using a sample of cold Rydberg atoms. This range is limited by the amplitude of the electric field that we can generate in our present setup.In this paper we have extended our previous work [de Oliveira et al., Phys. Rev. A 65, 031401 (2002)] by measuring the $S$ and $D$ Rydberg lifetimes for $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ for principal quantum number between $n=26$ and 31 using a sample of cold Rydberg atoms. This range is limited by the amplitude of the electric field that we can generate in our present setup.

Physical Review ANov 13, 200627 citations

Reply to “Comment on ‘Measurement of the lifetimes of S and D states below n=31 using cold Rydberg gas”’

L. L. Caliri, Luís Gustavo Marcassa

In response to the preceding Comment, we present important experimental information on our $S$ , $P$ , and $D$ Rydberg lifetime measurements for $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ using a sample of cold Rydberg atoms. We analyze and discuss the implications of blackbody radiation transfer on our results. We also discuss the limitation of the theory compared with our results.In response to the preceding Comment, we present important experimental information on our $S$, $P$, and $D$ Rydberg lifetime measurements for $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ using a sample of cold Rydberg atoms. We analyze and discuss the implications of blackbody radiation transfer on our results. We also discuss the limitation of the theory compared with our results.

Physical Review AJun 29, 200710 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.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:0910.1073Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical PhysicsDec 8, 200964 citations

Highly excited Rydberg states of a rubidium atom: Theory versus experiments

Mariusz Pawlak, Nimrod Moiseyev, H. R. Sadeghpour

There has been increasing interest in the energy spectrum of highly excited Rydberg states. The energy spectra of the $s$ , $p$ , and $d$ highly excited Rydberg states of a rubidium atom have been measured by different groups. However, there is a discrepancy between the reported data concerning the energy levels of highly excited $s$ and $d$ states of Rb. We address this issue by performing accurate calculations of Rb( $ns,np,nd$ ) energy levels using the parametric one-electron valence potential [Marinescu, Sadeghpour, and Dalgarno, Phys. Rev. A 49, 982 (1994)] with spin-orbit coupling. We compare results with reference data from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and from available experiments. This enables us to recommend energy levels of highly excited Rydberg states of Rb that can be used as reference values.There has been increasing interest in the energy spectrum of highly excited Rydberg states. The energy spectra of the $s$, $p$, and $d$ highly excited Rydberg states of a rubidium atom have been measured by different groups. However, there is a discrepancy between the reported data concerning the energy levels of highly excited $s$ and $d$ states of Rb. We address this issue by performing accurate calculations of Rb($ns,np,nd$) energy levels using the parametric one-electron valence potential [Marinescu, Sadeghpour, and Dalgarno, Phys. Rev. A 49, 982 (1994)] with spin-orbit coupling. We compare results with reference data from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and from available experiments. This enables us to recommend energy levels of highly excited Rydberg states of Rb that can be used as reference values.

Physical Review AApr 16, 201411 citations

Cooperative Excitation and Many-Body Interactions in a Cold Rydberg Gas

Matthieu Viteau, Paul H. Huillery, Mark G. Bason +6 more

The dipole blockade of Rydberg excitations is a hallmark of the strong interactions between atoms in these high-lying quantum states [M. Saffman, T. G. Walker, and K. Mølmer, Rev. Mod. Phys. 82, 2313 (2010); D. Comparat and P. Pillet, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 27, A208 (2010)]. One of the consequences of the dipole blockade is the suppression of fluctuations in the counting statistics of Rydberg excitations, of which some evidence has been found in previous experiments. Here we present experimental results on the dynamics and the counting statistics of Rydberg excitations of ultracold rubidium atoms both on and off resonance, which exhibit sub- and super-Poissonian counting statistics, respectively. We compare our results with numerical simulations using a novel theoretical model based on Dicke states of Rydberg atoms including dipole-dipole interactions, finding good agreement between experiment and theory.The dipole blockade of Rydberg excitations is a hallmark of the strong interactions between atoms in these high-lying quantum states [M. Saffman, T. G. Walker, and K. Mølmer, Rev. Mod. Phys. 82, 2313 (2010); D. Comparat and P. Pillet, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 27, A208 (2010)]. One of the consequences of the dipole blockade is the suppression of fluctuations in the counting statistics of Rydberg excitations, of which some evidence has been found in previous experiments. Here we present experimental results on the dynamics and the counting statistics of Rydberg excitations of ultracold rubidium atoms both on and off resonance, which exhibit sub- and super-Poissonian counting statistics, respectively. We compare our results with numerical simulations using a novel theoretical model based on Dicke states of Rydberg atoms including dipole-dipole interactions, finding good agreement between experiment and theory.

arXiv:1206.5086Physical Review LettersJul 31, 201272 citations

Combining experiments and relativistic theory for establishing accurate radiative quantities in atoms: The lifetime of the 2P3/2 state in Ca+40

Ziv Meir, Mudit Sinhal, Marianna S. Safronova +1 more

We report a precise determination of the lifetime of the $(4p){\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ state of $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}$ , ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{{P}_{3/2}}=6.639(42)\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$, using a combination of measurements of the induced light shift and scattering rate on a single trapped ion. Good agreement with the result of a recent high-level theoretical calculation, 6.69(6) ns [M. S. Safronova et al., Phys. Rev. A 83, 012503 (2011)], but a 6-$\ensuremath{\sigma}$ discrepancy with the most precise previous experimental value, 6.924(19) ns [J. Jin et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 3213 (1993)], is found. To corroborate the consistency and accuracy of the new measurements, relativistically corrected ratios of reduced-dipole-matrix elements are used to directly compare our result with a recent result for the ${P}_{1/2}$ state, yielding a good agreement. The application of the present method to precise determinations of radiative quantities of molecular systems is discussed.We report a precise determination of the lifetime of the $(4p){\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{3/2}$ state of $^{40}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}$, ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{{P}_{3/2}}=6.639(42)\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$, using a combination of measurements of the induced light shift and scattering rate on a single trapped ion. Good agreement with the result of a recent high-level theoretical calculation, 6.69(6) ns [M. S. Safronova et al., Phys. Rev. A 83, 012503 (2011)], but a 6-$\ensuremath{\sigma}$ discrepancy with the most precise previous experimental value, 6.924(19) ns [J. Jin et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 3213 (1993)], is found. To corroborate the consistency and accuracy of the new measurements, relativistically corrected ratios of reduced-dipole-matrix elements are used to directly compare our result with a recent result for the ${P}_{1/2}$ state, yielding a good agreement. The application of the present method to precise determinations of radiative quantities of molecular systems is discussed.

arXiv:1909.10516Physical Review AJan 14, 202010 citations

27\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}44

In this paper we have extended our previous work [de Oliveira et al., Phys. Rev. A 65, 031401 (2002)] by measuring the

S

and

D

Rydberg lifetimes for

^{85}\mathrm{Rb}

for principal quantum number between

n=26

and 31 using a sample of cold Rydberg atoms. This range is limited by the amplitude of the electric field that we can generate in our present setup.

In response to the preceding Comment, we present important experimental information on our

S

P

, and

D

Rydberg lifetime measurements for

^{85}\mathrm{Rb}

using a sample of cold Rydberg atoms. We analyze and discuss the implications of blackbody radiation transfer on our results. We also discuss the limitation of the theory compared with our results.

There has been increasing interest in the energy spectrum of highly excited Rydberg states. The energy spectra of the

s

p

, and

d

highly excited Rydberg states of a rubidium atom have been measured by different groups. However, there is a discrepancy between the reported data concerning the energy levels of highly excited

s

and

d

states of Rb. We address this issue by performing accurate calculations of Rb(

ns,np,nd

) energy levels using the parametric one-electron valence potential [Marinescu, Sadeghpour, and Dalgarno, Phys. Rev. A 49, 982 (1994)] with spin-orbit coupling. We compare results with reference data from the National Institute of Standards and Technology and from available experiments. This enables us to recommend energy levels of highly excited Rydberg states of Rb that can be used as reference values.

We report a precise determination of the lifetime of the

(4p){\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}}^{2}{P}_{3/2}

state of

^{40}\mathrm{Ca}^{+}

, ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{{P}_{3/2}}=6.639(42)\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$, using a combination of measurements of the induced light shift and scattering rate on a single trapped ion. Good agreement with the result of a recent high-level theoretical calculation, 6.69(6) ns [M. S. Safronova et al., Phys. Rev. A 83, 012503 (2011)], but a 6-$\ensuremath{\sigma}$ discrepancy with the most precise previous experimental value, 6.924(19) ns [J. Jin et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 70, 3213 (1993)], is found. To corroborate the consistency and accuracy of the new measurements, relativistically corrected ratios of reduced-dipole-matrix elements are used to directly compare our result with a recent result for the

{P}_{1/2}

state, yielding a good agreement. The application of the present method to precise determinations of radiative quantities of molecular systems is discussed.