Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Ionization of Rydberg atoms by half-cycle pulses

Carlos O Reinhold, Michael Melles, Hai Shao, Joachim Burgdörfer

Published Oct 14, 1993• 83 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We study the ionization of Rydberg atoms by half-cycle electromagnetic pulses as a function of the duration of the pulses covering a broad range of time intervals connecting the adiabatic and sudden regimes. The threshold fields for ionization lie on a universal classical scaling invariant curve. We present quantum mechanical results which agree well with the universal curve. The n -2 threshold field scaling found experimentally is a linear approximation to the universal curve by the tangent in the region where the pulse duration is of the order of the orbital period of the atom. We predict the existence of an ultrashort pulse limit in which the threshold field scales as n -1 . Effects due to the non-hydrogenic core are negligible.

DOI
10.1088/0953-4075/26/19/005

Related papers

Ionization of Rydberg atoms by half-cycle pulses: effect of pulse shape and rise time

B. E. Tannian, Richard A. Popple, F. B. Dunning +3 more

The ionization of potassium np Rydberg atoms with $n\sim388$ by pulsed unidirectional electric fields, termed half-cycle pulses (HCPs), with various well-characterized shapes (rectangular, triangular, and sawtooth) and durations $T\sb{p}$ comparable to the classical electron orbital period $T\sb{n}$ is investigated. The experimental results are compared to classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) simulations and the classically-scaled results of quantum calculations undertaken at $n=5.$ The data show that in the intermediate regime, $T\sb{p}\sim T\sb{n},$ the threshold field for ionization becomes sensitive to the shape and rise time of the HCP, increasing with increasing rise time. For each pulse shape, the agreement between the experimental measurements and both the CTMC and quantum calculations is very good.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•May 28, 1998•2 citations

Ionization of Rydberg atoms by subpicosecond half-cycle electromagnetic pulses

R. R. Jones, D. You, P. H. Bucksbaum

We have ionized Rydberg atoms using subpicosecond half-cycle electromagnetic pulses. The threshold electric field required to ionize a Rydberg state with effective quantum number ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ is found to scale as ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ for states with ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}}$>13 in contradistinction to the ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ threshold scaling for static field ionization and high order multiphoton ionization. This novel result is explained using a classical model.

Physical Review Letters•Mar 1, 1993•298 citations

IONIZATION OF RYDBERG ATOMS BY SUBPICOSECOND ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSES

B. Kaulakys, Vygintas Gontis, G. Vilutis

Theoretical analysis of the recently observed ionization of Rydberg atoms by ultra-short half-cycle single-polarity electromagnetic pulses is presented. It is shown that the observations are consistent with the general classical scaling for the hydrogen atom in a microwave field, but the quantitative explanation of the results is possible only within the framework of quantum mechanics. In other words, the photonic basis approach for quantum dynamics and the multiphoton ionization theory yield the measured threshold fields. This is an example of classical scaling of a non-classical effect. 1.

•Jan 1, 1993•1 citation

Basic Energy Sciences, under Award number DE-SC0012193.

Baochun Yang, F. Robicheaux

ization of Rydberg atoms by a single-cycle pulse, and also its implications for the strong field ionization of ground state. The required threshold field amplitude (for 10% ionization probability) scales inversely with the binding energy of initial states and also the pulse-duration square when the pulse duration becomes much shorter than the classical Rydberg period. A simple model is introduced to understand this threshold behavior, where the nonzero displacement induced by a single-cycle pulse plays a critical role. By combining with the adiabatic-ionization threshold in the low-frequency limit, an ionization window is expected for the ionization of different states. The ionization-probability curve exhibits a “ripple” structure as a function of the pulse duration and the field amplitude, which is sensitive to the angular distribution of initial states. The observation of larger emitted-electron energy for the ionization of lower-lying Rydberg states in a recent experiment [S Li and R. R. Jones, Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 143006 (2014)] is confirmed in our calculations for both sodium and hydrogen atoms. The differences between the ionization dynamics in a single-cycle pulse and that in a multi-cycle pulse are also discussed and presented.

•Jan 1, 2015•0 citations

Half-cycle microwave ionization of Rydberg atoms: beyond diabatic ionization

Philip Trøst Kristensen, G. M. Lankhuijzen, Lambertus D. Noordam

Ionization of Rydberg atoms by short, half-cycle electrical pulses is investigated experimentally in the intermediate-pulse duration regime where the ionization threshold fields are determined both by the slew rate of the ionizing pulse and its duration. Electrical pulses with durations ranging from 140 ps to 9 ns and amplitudes up to are applied to rubidium and lithium atoms prepared in high Rydberg states by laser excitation (n ranges from 42 to 82). The amplitude of the 140 ps pulse required for ionization of the Rb and Li Rydberg population is found to be a factor of two higher than the expected amplitude based on diabatic field ionization and recent theoretical calculations by Reinhold et al (1993 26 L659). Using the longer pulses we studied the transition from the diabatic/adabatic ionization towards ionization in the impulse-kick regime.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Mar 28, 1997•16 citations

Field-ionization threshold and its induced ionization-window phenomenon for Rydberg atoms in a short single-cycle pulse

B. C. Yang, F. Robicheaux

We study the field-ionization threshold behavior when a Rydberg atom is ionized by a short single-cycle pulse field. Both hydrogen and sodium atoms are considered. The required threshold field amplitude is found to scale inversely with the binding energy when the pulse duration becomes shorter than the classical Rydberg period, and, thus, more weakly bound electrons require larger fields for ionization. This threshold scaling behavior is confirmed by both three-dimensional classical trajectory Monte Carlo simulations and numerically solving the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation. More surprisingly, the same scaling behavior in the short pulse limit is also followed by the ionization thresholds for much lower bound states, including the hydrogen ground state. An empirical formula is obtained from a simple model, and the dominant ionization mechanism is identified as a nonzero spatial displacement of the electron. This displacement ionization should be another important mechanism beyond the tunneling ionization and the multiphoton ionization. In addition, an ``ionization window'' is shown to exist for the ionization of Rydberg states, which may have potential applications to selectively modify and control the Rydberg-state population of atoms and molecules.

arXiv:1410.0970•Physical Review A•Dec 5, 2014•23 citations
We study the ionization of Rydberg atoms by half-cycle electromagnetic pulses as a function of the duration of the pulses covering a broad range of time intervals connecting the adiabatic and sudden regimes. The threshold fields for ionization lie on a universal classical scaling invariant curve. We present quantum mechanical results which agree well with the universal curve. The n -2 threshold field scaling found experimentally is a linear approximation to the universal curve by the tangent in the region where the pulse duration is of the order of the orbital period of the atom. We predict the existence of an ultrashort pulse limit in which the threshold field scales as n -1 . Effects due to the non-hydrogenic core are negligible.
The ionization of potassium np Rydberg atoms with n∼388n\sim388n∼388 by pulsed unidirectional electric fields, termed half-cycle pulses (HCPs), with various well-characterized shapes (rectangular, triangular, and sawtooth) and durations $T\sb{p}$ comparable to the classical electron orbital period $T\sb{n}$ is investigated. The experimental results are compared to classical trajectory Monte Carlo (CTMC) simulations and the classically-scaled results of quantum calculations undertaken at n=5.n=5.n=5. The data show that in the intermediate regime, $T\sb{p}\sim T\sb{n},$ the threshold field for ionization becomes sensitive to the shape and rise time of the HCP, increasing with increasing rise time. For each pulse shape, the agreement between the experimental measurements and both the CTMC and quantum calculations is very good.
We have ionized Rydberg atoms using subpicosecond half-cycle electromagnetic pulses. The threshold electric field required to ionize a Rydberg state with effective quantum number n∗{\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}}n∗ is found to scale as ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ for states with n∗{\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}}n∗>13 in contradistinction to the ${\mathit{n}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ threshold scaling for static field ionization and high order multiphoton ionization. This novel result is explained using a classical model.
Theoretical analysis of the recently observed ionization of Rydberg atoms by ultra-short half-cycle single-polarity electromagnetic pulses is presented. It is shown that the observations are consistent with the general classical scaling for the hydrogen atom in a microwave field, but the quantitative explanation of the results is possible only within the framework of quantum mechanics. In other words, the photonic basis approach for quantum dynamics and the multiphoton ionization theory yield the measured threshold fields. This is an example of classical scaling of a non-classical effect. 1.
ization of Rydberg atoms by a single-cycle pulse, and also its implications for the strong field ionization of ground state. The required threshold field amplitude (for 10% ionization probability) scales inversely with the binding energy of initial states and also the pulse-duration square when the pulse duration becomes much shorter than the classical Rydberg period. A simple model is introduced to understand this threshold behavior, where the nonzero displacement induced by a single-cycle pulse plays a critical role. By combining with the adiabatic-ionization threshold in the low-frequency limit, an ionization window is expected for the ionization of different states. The ionization-probability curve exhibits a “ripple” structure as a function of the pulse duration and the field amplitude, which is sensitive to the angular distribution of initial states. The observation of larger emitted-electron energy for the ionization of lower-lying Rydberg states in a recent experiment [S Li and R. R. Jones, Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 143006 (2014)] is confirmed in our calculations for both sodium and hydrogen atoms. The differences between the ionization dynamics in a single-cycle pulse and that in a multi-cycle pulse are also discussed and presented.
Ionization of Rydberg atoms by short, half-cycle electrical pulses is investigated experimentally in the intermediate-pulse duration regime where the ionization threshold fields are determined both by the slew rate of the ionizing pulse and its duration. Electrical pulses with durations ranging from 140 ps to 9 ns and amplitudes up to are applied to rubidium and lithium atoms prepared in high Rydberg states by laser excitation (n ranges from 42 to 82). The amplitude of the 140 ps pulse required for ionization of the Rb and Li Rydberg population is found to be a factor of two higher than the expected amplitude based on diabatic field ionization and recent theoretical calculations by Reinhold et al (1993 26 L659). Using the longer pulses we studied the transition from the diabatic/adabatic ionization towards ionization in the impulse-kick regime.
We study the field-ionization threshold behavior when a Rydberg atom is ionized by a short single-cycle pulse field. Both hydrogen and sodium atoms are considered. The required threshold field amplitude is found to scale inversely with the binding energy when the pulse duration becomes shorter than the classical Rydberg period, and, thus, more weakly bound electrons require larger fields for ionization. This threshold scaling behavior is confirmed by both three-dimensional classical trajectory Monte Carlo simulations and numerically solving the time-dependent Schr\"odinger equation. More surprisingly, the same scaling behavior in the short pulse limit is also followed by the ionization thresholds for much lower bound states, including the hydrogen ground state. An empirical formula is obtained from a simple model, and the dominant ionization mechanism is identified as a nonzero spatial displacement of the electron. This displacement ionization should be another important mechanism beyond the tunneling ionization and the multiphoton ionization. In addition, an ``ionization window'' is shown to exist for the ionization of Rydberg states, which may have potential applications to selectively modify and control the Rydberg-state population of atoms and molecules.