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Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics

A theoretical determination of the diffusion-like ionisation time of Rydberg atoms

B. Kaulakys, A.R. Ciziunas

Published Mar 14, 1987• 18 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The non-stationary multistep (diffusion-like) ionisation of Rydberg atoms is considered theoretically. The investigation is based on the time-dependent Fokker-Planck equation and is related to collisional and microwave ionisation of Rydberg atoms. Analytical expressions for the mean time and the higher moments of the distribution of the diffusive ionisation times are derived. The conditions for the occurrence of diffusive ionisation are obtained. The relation of the present study to stationary diffusive ionisation and the experimental investigation of the ionisation of Rydberg atoms is discussed.

DOI
10.1088/0022-3700/20/5/020

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arXiv:quant-ph/9504007•Apr 10, 1995•0 citations
The non-stationary multistep (diffusion-like) ionisation of Rydberg atoms is considered theoretically. The investigation is based on the time-dependent Fokker-Planck equation and is related to collisional and microwave ionisation of Rydberg atoms. Analytical expressions for the mean time and the higher moments of the distribution of the diffusive ionisation times are derived. The conditions for the occurrence of diffusive ionisation are obtained. The relation of the present study to stationary diffusive ionisation and the experimental investigation of the ionisation of Rydberg atoms is discussed.
The ionisation of highly excited Rydberg atoms in collisions with ground-state atoms is considered. The stationary diffusion-like mechanism of the ionisation is presented. The investigation is based on the Fokker-Planck equation. Analytical expressions for the probabilities of stationary diffusive ionisation are obtained and applied for the explanation of experimental results on the ionisation of highly excited Rydberg states of caesium in collisions with ground-state Cs atoms. It is concluded that the diffusive mechanism is the main mechanism for collisional ionisation of Rydberg atoms with n>or approximately=25-30.
The diffusion model of ionization of Rydberg atoms in single collisions is formulated. The solution of kinetic equations describing nonstationary diffusion processes is discussed. Methods of analytical calculation of the effective times for the development of ionization in phase regions with moving boundaries are presented. An analytical method, going back to Weisskopf, for determining the corresponding cross sections for impact ionization in the adiabatic approximation is described. A numerical scheme for solving problems of stochastic movement of a Rydberg electron inside a Coulomb condensation of levels under conditions of time-variable ionization boundaries and region of development of stochastic instability is developed.
The author obtains simple analytical expressions for the cross sections of the state-changing and ionisation collisions of Rydberg atoms with neutral atomic particles due to the Rydberg-electron-perturber interaction. The theoretical investigation is based on the impulse approximation and binary encounter approach for the form factor. The earlier results of Alekseev and Sobel'man (1965) and Omont (1977) turn out to be the limiting cases of the author's expressions. The calculated quenching cross sections for the Rydberg states agree well with experimental results and numerical calculations.
Abstract Redistribution of population of Rydberg states and ionization of an atom as a result of multistep cascade transitions between states induced by radiation with continuous spectrum are analyzed. Analysis is carried out both by straightforward numerical solution of kinetic equations governing state populations and by using the diffusion approximation based on the Fokker–Planck equation. Using an example of a sodium atom exposed to radiation with rectangular spectrum as an example, we demonstrate good agreement between the diffusion approximation and numerical solution to kinetic equations. Estimates for state populations, ionization rate, and minimum spectral density of radiation required for achieving considerable ionization are obtained within the framework of the diffusion approximation.
A simple theory of the Rydberg atoms ionisation by electromagnetic pulses and microwave field is presented. The analysis is based on the scale transformation which reduces the number of parameters and reveals the functional dependencies of the processes. It is shown that the observed ionisation of Rydberg atoms by subpicosecond electromagnetic pulses scale classically. The threshold electric field required to ionise a Rydberg state may be simply evaluated in the photonic basis approach for the quantum dynamics or from the multiphoton ionisation theory.