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Physical Review A

Measurement of Rydberg-state lifetimes using cold trapped atoms

A. L. de Oliveira, M. W. Mancini, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato, Luís Gustavo Marcassa

Published Feb 5, 2002• 46 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper, we demonstrate the use of a cold trapped sample of neutral atoms to perform high-precision measurement of the lifetime for a sequence of Rydberg states of ${}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}.$ States of principal quantum number lying between $n=31$ and $n=45$ are produced and their lifetimes measured using field ionization. Experimental results are compared with existing theories. This is an important demonstration concerning the possibilities of high-precision spectroscopy in the time domain using cold atomic samples.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.65.031401

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In this paper, we demonstrate the use of a cold trapped sample of neutral atoms to perform high-precision measurement of the lifetime for a sequence of Rydberg states of 85Rb.{}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}.85Rb. States of principal quantum number lying between n=31n=31n=31 and n=45n=45n=45 are produced and their lifetimes measured using field ionization. Experimental results are compared with existing theories. This is an important demonstration concerning the possibilities of high-precision spectroscopy in the time domain using cold atomic samples.
In this paper, I review some recent high-precision Rydberg state lifetime measurements using a cold-trapped sample of neutral atoms held in a magneto-optical trap. The measurements were performed in rubidium for the S, P and D states varying the principal quantum number from n =26 to 45 using the field ionization technique. The experimental results were compared with quantum mechanical calculations and good agreement was observed. This is an important demonstration of how cold atomic samples can be used to perform high-precision spectroscopy in the time domain.
Summary form only given. Measurements of Rydberg states lifetime are a powerful test for calculations involving many-body problems and alkali atoms, and have been used as prototypes for such a study. Cold trapped atoms provide an interesting sample to investigate high excited states lifetime with great advantage compared to traditional atomic beam techniques. Effects on measured lifetimes of the excited atoms such as superradiance and collisions may be controlled and even suppressed by using cold atoms held in a trap. In this work we measured the lifetime of a sequence of states S, P and D as a function of the principal quantum number (n). These highly excited states have remarkable properties due to their weakly bound outer electron energies and their electron's large orbit radius. Due to the very weak binding energies, these states tend to be very sensitive to perturbations, such as external electric fields that are used to detect atoms in these states.
Summary form only given. In the late 1990s the idea of using trapped neutral atoms to produce cold Rydberg atoms has drawn special attention. Conventional techniques to study Rydberg atoms using thermal atoms have limitations imposed by velocity dependent and collisional effects. With the advent of the magneto-optical trap (MOT) cold samples of Rydberg atoms, which are naturally Doppler-free, can now be produced. In this work we present the measurement of /sup 80/Rb 27D Rydberg state by field ionization using trapped atoms.
We demonstrate a hybrid method based on field ionization and state-selective deexcitation capable of measuring the lifetimes of high-lying Rydberg levels. For nSnSnS Rydberg states of Rb atoms with principal quantum number $60\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}88$, we measure both the lifetimes of single target states and those of the ensembles of Rydberg states populated via blackbody-radiation-induced transitions. We find good overall agreement with numerical calculations of the expected lifetimes in both cases. However, for the target-state lifetimes, we find a local deviation towards shorter lifetimes for states around n=72n=72n=72, which we interpret as a signature of a modified blackbody spectrum in the finite volume in which our experiments take place.
Atoms in highly excited (Rydberg) states have a number of unique properties which make them attractive for applications in quantum information. These are large dipole moments, lifetimes and polarizabilities, as well as strong long-range interactions between Rydberg atoms. Experimental methods of laser cooling and precision spectroscopy enable the trapping and manipulation of single Rydberg atoms and applying them for practical implementation of quantum gates over qubits of a quantum computer based on single neutral atoms in optical traps. In this paper, we give a review of the experimental and theoretical work performed by the authors at the Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics SB RAS and Novosibirsk State University on laser and microwave spectroscopy of cold Rb Rydberg atoms in a magneto-optical trap and on their possible applications in quantum information. We also give a brief review of studies done by other groups in this area.
Atoms in highly excited (Rydberg) states have a number of unique properties which make them attractive for applications in quantum information.These are large dipole moments, lifetimes and polarizabilities, as well as strong long-range interactions between Rydberg atoms.Experimental methods of laser cooling and precision spectroscopy enable the trapping and manipulation of single Rydberg atoms and applying them for practical implementation of quantum gates over qubits of a quantum computer based on single neutral atoms in optical traps.In this paper, we give a review of the experimental and theoretical work performed by the authors at the Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics SB RAS and Novosibirsk State University on laser and microwave spectroscopy of cold Rb Rydberg atoms in a magneto-optical trap and on their possible applications in quantum information.We also give a brief review of studies done by other groups in this area.