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Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics

Experimental investigation of atoms in crossed electric and magnetic fields

J-P Connerade, S. D. Hogan, A M Abdulla

Published Jan 6, 2005• 19 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We report recent progress in our experimental investigation of high-lying Rydberg states of barium in crossed electric and magnetic fields. Through analysis of the nearest-neighbour level spacing statistics, we investigate the evolution of the electron dynamics as the electric field strength is increased.
DOI
10.1088/0953-4075/38/2/011

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We report recent experimental developments in the study of high-lying Rydberg states of atomic barium in crossed external electric and magnetic fields. By employing a new, high resolution, pulsed laser system in conjunction with the experimental geometry we have previously used, we have been able to extend our investigations closer to the semiclassical limit. We have compiled Stark maps which clearly indicate changes in dynamics that take place as the electric field strength is increased for a fixed magnetic field strength of 1 T. We comment on these changes and draw comparisons with those observed previously at lower principal quantum number, lower spectral resolution and higher magnetic field strength.
This paper reports on the evidence for large permanent electric-dipole moments of Rydberg atoms in crossed electric and magnetic fields. It was found that the dipole moments have a large value if the scaled electric-field strength \ensuremath{\epsilon}=${\mathit{EB}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4/3}$ has the value \ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\approxeq}0.75 (with electric- and magnetic-field strengths E and B in atomic units). The experimental technique employed to determine the atomic dipole moment was to add a slight inhomogeneity to the electric field and to measure the deflection of the atoms, this deflection being proportional to the field inhomogeneity and the atomic dipole moment. In order to discuss the experimental results, different theoretical approaches to the E\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}B problem are reviewed. The occurrence of Rydberg atoms with large dipole moments can be explained as being caused by a distinct type of classical orbit.
Recent investigations of Rydberg atoms are described in an effort to give a picture of their properties, many of which can be understood from the behaviour of the Coulomb radial functions. The authors begin by a discussion of Coulomb wavefunctions, and progress to a description of the energy level structure. The behaviour of Rydberg atoms in electric fields is discussed to provide an understanding of the phenomenon and to show how electric field ionisation may be used as a tool in a wide variety of experiments. Unique opportunities to study the interaction with black-body radiation and vacuum fluctuations are discussed. A survey of the broad range of Rydberg atom collisions, with ground-state atoms and molecules, charged particles and other Rydberg atoms, is presented to show the different physical interactions responsible. This is followed by a brief summary of the study of autoionising Rydberg states, a stepping stone toward the elusive 'double Rydberg' atom. Finally typical experimental procedures are described.