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Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE

Rydberg matter: properties and decay

Edward A. Manykin, Michael I. Ojovan, Pavel P. Poluektov

Published Mar 3, 2006• 17 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Rydberg matter is a condensed excited state made of highly excited atoms. State of art of research in the field of Rydberg matter is briefly reviewed. Special attention is focused on the contribution of Russian and Swedish scientists' groups to the analysis of this problem. Most attention is concentrated on physical principles of pseudopotential method and density functional theory used to describe the Rydberg matter. The description of Rydberg matter as an excited state becomes viable after the formal replacement of excited atoms by ground state pseudoatoms. This procedure has been used to find parameters of Rydberg matter made of highly excited cesium atoms. Theoretical estimations conform to experimental data available.

DOI
10.1117/12.675004

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Rydberg matter—A long-lived excited state of matter

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The theory of condensed excited matter, the so-called Rydberg matter (RM), is examined briefly. Explicit results are given for several physical quantities, notably, the work function and the resistivity, for which experimental results exist. The most important aspects of the experiments, which are fully described elsewhere, are discussed. Large densities of Rydberg species are formed in the experiments with cesium vapor in contact with carbon (graphite) surfaces. The resistivity of the RM formed is found to be 10 −2 –10 −3 Ω·m under varying conditions, while theory gives the order of 10 −3 Ω·m. The work function is experimentally found to be less than 0.7 eV, perhaps even less than 0.5 eV. Two different methods were used to extract this quantity from thermionic diode data. These work function values are much lower than reported for any known material, especially at the high temperatures, and they thus give strong support for the description of RM as a very dilute metal. Theory gives values ranging from 0.6 down to 0.2 eV, depending on the principal quantum number, which is estimated to be n =12–14 from the lifetime calculations and from the known pressure. Supporting evidence is found from spectroscopic studies of RM, from jellium calculations, and from recent confirming experiments. From the good agreement between theory and experiment we conclude that RM exists.

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Abstract A condensed excited matter called Rydberg Matter (RM) have been studied experimentally for 30 years, but have not sparked widespread attention yet, unlike ordinary Rydberg atoms. RM formed by clusters of Rydberg atoms at a solid surface have a longer lifetime compared to Rydberg atoms, and is liquid-like. This review describes how the RM state is generated, and its potential applications. These include using RM for research into catalysis, space phenomena and sensor applications, or for producing environmentally friendly energy. A background on RM is presented, with its structure and special properties, and the working principle of RM generation. The experimental set-ups, materials, and detectors used are discussed, together with methods to improve the amount of RM produced. The materials used for the catalysts are of special interest, as this should have a large influence on the energy of the RM, and therefore also on the applications. Currently most of the catalysts used are potassium doped iron oxide designed for styrene production, which should give the possibility of improvements. And as there is little knowledge on the exact mechanisms for RM formation, suggestions are given as to where research should start.

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Laser Physics•Jan 1, 2002•4 citations
Rydberg matter is a condensed excited state made of highly excited atoms. State of art of research in the field of Rydberg matter is briefly reviewed. Special attention is focused on the contribution of Russian and Swedish scientists' groups to the analysis of this problem. Most attention is concentrated on physical principles of pseudopotential method and density functional theory used to describe the Rydberg matter. The description of Rydberg matter as an excited state becomes viable after the formal replacement of excited atoms by ground state pseudoatoms. This procedure has been used to find parameters of Rydberg matter made of highly excited cesium atoms. Theoretical estimations conform to experimental data available.
The theory of condensed excited matter, the so-called Rydberg matter (RM), is examined briefly. Explicit results are given for several physical quantities, notably, the work function and the resistivity, for which experimental results exist. The most important aspects of the experiments, which are fully described elsewhere, are discussed. Large densities of Rydberg species are formed in the experiments with cesium vapor in contact with carbon (graphite) surfaces. The resistivity of the RM formed is found to be 10 −2 –10 −3 Ω·m under varying conditions, while theory gives the order of 10 −3 Ω·m. The work function is experimentally found to be less than 0.7 eV, perhaps even less than 0.5 eV. Two different methods were used to extract this quantity from thermionic diode data. These work function values are much lower than reported for any known material, especially at the high temperatures, and they thus give strong support for the description of RM as a very dilute metal. Theory gives values ranging from 0.6 down to 0.2 eV, depending on the principal quantum number, which is estimated to be n =12–14 from the lifetime calculations and from the known pressure. Supporting evidence is found from spectroscopic studies of RM, from jellium calculations, and from recent confirming experiments. From the good agreement between theory and experiment we conclude that RM exists.
Abstract A condensed excited matter called Rydberg Matter (RM) have been studied experimentally for 30 years, but have not sparked widespread attention yet, unlike ordinary Rydberg atoms. RM formed by clusters of Rydberg atoms at a solid surface have a longer lifetime compared to Rydberg atoms, and is liquid-like. This review describes how the RM state is generated, and its potential applications. These include using RM for research into catalysis, space phenomena and sensor applications, or for producing environmentally friendly energy. A background on RM is presented, with its structure and special properties, and the working principle of RM generation. The experimental set-ups, materials, and detectors used are discussed, together with methods to improve the amount of RM produced. The materials used for the catalysts are of special interest, as this should have a large influence on the energy of the RM, and therefore also on the applications. Currently most of the catalysts used are potassium doped iron oxide designed for styrene production, which should give the possibility of improvements. And as there is little knowledge on the exact mechanisms for RM formation, suggestions are given as to where research should start.
A brief state-of-art review of the research into the interaction of laser radiation with Rydberg atoms and clusters of Rydberg atoms is provided. The dynamics of various Rydberg species in a high-frequency optical field is described with the use of the quantum-mechanical approach. Experimental data indicating the existence of Rydberg-state species (Rydberg clusters and Rydberg matter) are analyzed. A special emphasis is placed on Raman processes in Rydberg atoms and Rydberg matter created on solid surfaces.
In recent years, Rydberg atoms have been the subject of intense study, becoming the testing ground for several quantum mechanical problems. This book provides a comprehensive description of the physics of Rydberg atoms, highlighting their remarkable properties by reference to their behaviour in a wide range of physical situations. Following an overview of the basic properties of Rydberg atoms, their interactions with electric and magnetic fields are analysed in detail. The collisions of Rydberg atoms with neutral and charged species are described, and the use of multichannel quantum defect theory in the study of Rydberg atomic systems is discussed. Experimental and theoretical research in this extensive field is also reviewed, making the book valuable to both graduate students and established researchers in physics and physical chemistry.