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Soviet Journal of Quantum Electronics

Investigation of RydbergDstates of sodium by quantum beat spectroscopy using pulsed dye lasers

S. Haroche

Published Apr 30, 1976• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The method of quantum beats was used in an investigation of the Rydberg D states of the Na atom. Measurements were made of the fine structure constant and of the Stark effect in weak fields.
DOI
10.1070/qe1976v006n04abeh011127

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We report the observation of fine-structure and Zeeman quantum beats in highly excited sodium DDD states prepared, for the first time in a quantum-beat experiment, by stepwise excitation using two synchronously pulsed dye lasers. We have used this new technique to measure the previously unknown fine-structure intervals of levels 9D9D9D and 10D10D10D of sodium, the values being, respectively, 124.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5 and 91.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 MHz.
We have performed infrared spectroscopy on sodium Rydberg levels in an atomic beam. A CO2{\mathrm{O}}_{2}O2​ laser was used to provide narrow linewidths and absolute frequency markers. New results have been obtained for the term energy and for the fine-structure splitting of the 17p17p17p level.
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The outer electron of a Rydberg atom is so weakly bound to the atomic core that a relatively small electric field may cause the electron to be stripped from the atom. The field strength at which this ionization happens is strongly dependent on the state of the Rydberg atom. Pulsed electric field ionization serves, therefore, not only as a means by which a Rydberg atom may be efficiently detected, but also a means by which the state of the Rydberg atom may be analyzed.\nThe first observation of predominantly diabatic passage to field ionization of a non-hydrogenic Rydberg atom has resulted in an improved understanding of the adiabatic and diabatic ionization processes. The magnitudes of the various field ionization features have been measured and found to agree with theory, and by detailed analysis, it is now possible to label the various field ionization signal features with the appropriate (VBAR)m(,l)(VBAR) quantum numbers. A much better understanding of the laser excitation process, the Rydberg state production, and the response of the excited state to an increasing electric field has enabled measurement of some Rydberg fine-structure intervals, through observation of field ionization quantum beats.