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

Atoms in crossed fields: a new experimental approach

J-P Connerade, G Droungas, Natalia E. Karapanagioti, M S Zhan

Published May 14, 1997• 24 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We describe a novel experiment on Rydberg atoms in crossed electric and magnetic fields, recently performed at Imperial College. The novelty resides in a combination of a crossed-field geometry with a time-gated detection technique, by which separation of the circularly polarized components is now achieved. The importance of achieving such a separation and the new opportunities it opens up are explained. By this approach, a map of the diamagnetic Stark patterns is obtained. The data exhibit interesting behaviour in that the hydrogenic and non-hydrogenic groups within the n-shell now become distinguishable. Their evolution as a function of field strength brings out the difference between linear and quadratic effects. The levels with a quadratic dependence on electric field strength eventually invade and dominate the spectrum. We surmise that the trend from order to chaos is different in crossed fields from the trend in the diamagnetic limit. We comment on further theory required to clarify this point. Our observations extend up to and slightly above the saddle-point energy.

DOI
10.1088/0953-4075/30/9/008

Related papers

Strontium spectra in crossed electric and magnetic fields

J-P Connerade, M-S Zhan, J Rao +1 more

We report new experiments on the spectrum of Sr atoms in crossed electric and magnetic fields. We apply an experimental geometry which enables the two circular polarizations to be detected and recorded separately, thereby considerably simplifying the observed structure. This experimental procedure allows Stark maps for the diamagnetic structure to be constructed. We compare the data for Sr with analogous data reported recently for Ba. We also present theoretical calculations of the crossed-field spectrum, which agree well with our observations.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Jan 1, 1999•19 citations

ION DETECTION TECHNIQUES APPLIED TO RYDBERG ATOMS IN EXTERNAL FIELDS

Francis Jean Penent, Christian Chardonnet, Dominique Delande +2 more

The simultaneous development of single mode c.w. dye laser excitation and thermoionic detection over the last five years has supplied with one of the most powerful experimental technique for atomic physics studies under vapour phase conditions. One of the most interesting application concerns problems of fundamental physics which can be tackled on Rydberg atoms especially the ones dealing with the atomic properties in external fields. Several selected examples are discussed to the light of generalized vectorial models of diamagnetism, linear Stark effect and crossed electric and magnetic fields effects. Although the experimental results are highly illustrative of the pure hydrogenic behaviour in external fields, none of them have been obtained on the hydrogen atom itself.

Le Journal de Physique Colloques•Nov 1, 1983•2 citations

High-lying Rydberg states of barium in crossed fields

A M Abdulla, S. D. Hogan, M S Zhan +1 more

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.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Apr 1, 2004•14 citations

Atomic Excitation and Recombination in External Fields

Munir Hasan Nayfeh, Charles W. Clark

This volume offers a timely look at Rydberg states of atoms in external fields and dielectronic recombination. Each topic provides authoritative coverage, presents a fresh account of a flourishing field of current atomic physics and introduces new opportunities for discovery and development. Topics considered include electron-atom scattering in external fields; observations of regular and irregular motion as exemplified by the quadratic zeeman effect and other systems; Rydberg atoms in external fields and the Coulomb geometry; crossed-field effects in the absorption spectrum of lithium in a magnetic field; precise studies of static electric field ionization; widths and shapes of stark resonances in sodium above the saddle point; studies of electric field effects and barium autoionizing resonances; autoionization and dielectronic recombination in plasma electric microfields; dielectronic recombination measurements on multicharged ions; merged beam studies of dielectronic recombination; Rydberg atoms and dielectronic recombination in astrophysics; and observations on dielectronic recombination.

•Jan 1, 1985•94 citations

Rydberg states of helium in electric and magnetic fields of arbitrary relative orientation

Ondřej Tkáč, Matija Žeško, Josef A. Agner +2 more

A spectroscopic study of Rydberg states of helium (n = 30 and 45) in magnetic, electric and combined magnetic and electric fields with arbitrary relative orientations of the field vectors is presented. The emphasis is on two special cases where (i) the diamagnetic term is negligible and both paramagnetic Zeeman and Stark effects are linear (n = 30, B ≤ 120 mT and F = 0-78 V cm⁻¹), and (ii) the diamagnetic term is dominant and the Stark effect is linear (n = 45, B = 277 mT and F = 0-8 V cm⁻¹). Both cases correspond to regimes where the interactions induced by the electric and magnetic fields are much weaker than the Coulomb interaction, but much stronger than the spin-orbit interaction. The experimental spectra are compared to spectra calculated by determining the eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian matrix describing helium Rydberg states in the external fields. The spectra and the calculated energy-level diagrams in external fields reveal avoided crossings between levels of different m ₗ values and pronounced m ₁-mixing effects at all angles between the electric- and magnetic-field vectors other than 0. These observations are discussed in the context of the development of a method to generate dense samples of cold atoms and molecules in a magnetic trap following Rydberg-Stark deceleration.

•Apr 1, 2016•5 citations

Atoms in strong crossed electric and magnetic fields: Evidence for states with large electric-dipole moments

Georg A. Raithel, M. Fauth, HERBERT WALTHER

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.

Physical Review A•Jan 1, 1993•66 citations
We describe a novel experiment on Rydberg atoms in crossed electric and magnetic fields, recently performed at Imperial College. The novelty resides in a combination of a crossed-field geometry with a time-gated detection technique, by which separation of the circularly polarized components is now achieved. The importance of achieving such a separation and the new opportunities it opens up are explained. By this approach, a map of the diamagnetic Stark patterns is obtained. The data exhibit interesting behaviour in that the hydrogenic and non-hydrogenic groups within the n-shell now become distinguishable. Their evolution as a function of field strength brings out the difference between linear and quadratic effects. The levels with a quadratic dependence on electric field strength eventually invade and dominate the spectrum. We surmise that the trend from order to chaos is different in crossed fields from the trend in the diamagnetic limit. We comment on further theory required to clarify this point. Our observations extend up to and slightly above the saddle-point energy.
We report new experiments on the spectrum of Sr atoms in crossed electric and magnetic fields. We apply an experimental geometry which enables the two circular polarizations to be detected and recorded separately, thereby considerably simplifying the observed structure. This experimental procedure allows Stark maps for the diamagnetic structure to be constructed. We compare the data for Sr with analogous data reported recently for Ba. We also present theoretical calculations of the crossed-field spectrum, which agree well with our observations.
The simultaneous development of single mode c.w. dye laser excitation and thermoionic detection over the last five years has supplied with one of the most powerful experimental technique for atomic physics studies under vapour phase conditions. One of the most interesting application concerns problems of fundamental physics which can be tackled on Rydberg atoms especially the ones dealing with the atomic properties in external fields. Several selected examples are discussed to the light of generalized vectorial models of diamagnetism, linear Stark effect and crossed electric and magnetic fields effects. Although the experimental results are highly illustrative of the pure hydrogenic behaviour in external fields, none of them have been obtained on the hydrogen atom itself.
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 volume offers a timely look at Rydberg states of atoms in external fields and dielectronic recombination. Each topic provides authoritative coverage, presents a fresh account of a flourishing field of current atomic physics and introduces new opportunities for discovery and development. Topics considered include electron-atom scattering in external fields; observations of regular and irregular motion as exemplified by the quadratic zeeman effect and other systems; Rydberg atoms in external fields and the Coulomb geometry; crossed-field effects in the absorption spectrum of lithium in a magnetic field; precise studies of static electric field ionization; widths and shapes of stark resonances in sodium above the saddle point; studies of electric field effects and barium autoionizing resonances; autoionization and dielectronic recombination in plasma electric microfields; dielectronic recombination measurements on multicharged ions; merged beam studies of dielectronic recombination; Rydberg atoms and dielectronic recombination in astrophysics; and observations on dielectronic recombination.
A spectroscopic study of Rydberg states of helium (n = 30 and 45) in magnetic, electric and combined magnetic and electric fields with arbitrary relative orientations of the field vectors is presented. The emphasis is on two special cases where (i) the diamagnetic term is negligible and both paramagnetic Zeeman and Stark effects are linear (n = 30, B ≤ 120 mT and F = 0-78 V cm⁻¹), and (ii) the diamagnetic term is dominant and the Stark effect is linear (n = 45, B = 277 mT and F = 0-8 V cm⁻¹). Both cases correspond to regimes where the interactions induced by the electric and magnetic fields are much weaker than the Coulomb interaction, but much stronger than the spin-orbit interaction. The experimental spectra are compared to spectra calculated by determining the eigenvalues of the Hamiltonian matrix describing helium Rydberg states in the external fields. The spectra and the calculated energy-level diagrams in external fields reveal avoided crossings between levels of different m ₗ values and pronounced m ₁-mixing effects at all angles between the electric- and magnetic-field vectors other than 0. These observations are discussed in the context of the development of a method to generate dense samples of cold atoms and molecules in a magnetic trap following Rydberg-Stark deceleration.
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.