Measurements have been made of the natural radiative lifetimes of highly excited rubidium (9 ≤ n ≤ 18) S and D states. These results, as well as those already published concerning P and F states, agree well with the theoretical lifetimes calculated by the Bates-Damgaard method.
A comprehensive set of transition probabilities and radiative lifetimes of Rydberg states of alkali atoms (for Na, K, Cs, n<or=30; and for Rb, n<or=50) is obtained by using a simple, exactly solvable potential model for atoms. The results agree well with the available experimental values and other theoretical ones. Scaling relations for evaluating transition probabilities and lifetimes of high Rydberg states are also discussed. The well known (n*) -5 scaling law of the transition probabilities A n(inf) not=n(inf) / with n' approximately=n>>1 is generally valid; however, the authors also find deviations from this law for some d to p and f to d transitions for Rb. A third-power polynomial is found to be better than the currently used exponential scaling law in predicting the lifetimes of even higher excited states.
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.