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Physical Review A

Measurement of the lifetimes of S and D states below n=31 using cold Rydberg gas

Valter Aragão do Nascimento, L. L. Caliri, A. L. de Oliveira, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato, Luís Gustavo Marcassa

Published Nov 13, 2006• 27 citations
Publisher

Abstract

In this paper we have extended our previous work [de Oliveira et al., Phys. Rev. A 65, 031401 (2002)] by measuring the $S$ and $D$ Rydberg lifetimes for $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ for principal quantum number between $n=26$ and 31 using a sample of cold Rydberg atoms. This range is limited by the amplitude of the electric field that we can generate in our present setup.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.74.054501

Related papers

Comment on “Measurement of the lifetimes of S and D states below n=31 using cold Rydberg gas”

Duncan Tate

A recent paper by [Nascimento et al., Phys. Rev. A 74, 054501 (2006)], and a previous paper from the same group [de Oliveira et al., Phys. Rev. A 65 031401(R) (2002)], report measurements of Rydberg lifetimes in rubidium in the range $27\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}44$. In this Comment, we point out one apparent flaw of experimental technique in these papers that may lead to systematic errors in the results. We also clarify a point of theoretical interpretation used in these papers which suggests that the agreement between experiment and theory may not be as good as it seems.

Physical Review A•Jun 29, 2007•8 citations

Using cold trapped atoms to determine lifetime of a Rydberg sequence

A.L. de Oliveira, M.W. Mancini, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato +1 more

Summary form only given. Measurements of Rydberg states lifetime are a powerful test for calculations involving many-body problems and alkali atoms, and have been used as prototypes for such a study. Cold trapped atoms provide an interesting sample to investigate high excited states lifetime with great advantage compared to traditional atomic beam techniques. Effects on measured lifetimes of the excited atoms such as superradiance and collisions may be controlled and even suppressed by using cold atoms held in a trap. In this work we measured the lifetime of a sequence of states S, P and D as a function of the principal quantum number (n). These highly excited states have remarkable properties due to their weakly bound outer electron energies and their electron's large orbit radius. Due to the very weak binding energies, these states tend to be very sensitive to perturbations, such as external electric fields that are used to detect atoms in these states.

Quantum Electronics and Laser Science Conference•Jun 25, 2003•0 citations

Measurement of Rydberg-state lifetimes using cold trapped atoms

A. L. de Oliveira, M. W. Mancini, Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato +1 more

In this paper, we demonstrate the use of a cold trapped sample of neutral atoms to perform high-precision measurement of the lifetime for a sequence of Rydberg states of ${}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}.$ States of principal quantum number lying between $n=31$ and $n=45$ are produced and their lifetimes measured using field ionization. Experimental results are compared with existing theories. This is an important demonstration concerning the possibilities of high-precision spectroscopy in the time domain using cold atomic samples.

Physical Review A•Feb 5, 2002•46 citations

Cold-Rydberg-gas dynamics

Alisa I. Walz‐Flannigan, Jeffrey R. Guest, Jongsoo Choi +1 more

Using state-selective field ionization, the state distributions of Rydberg atoms in cold Rydberg gases are measured for various initially excited Rydberg levels, populations, and evolution times. We provide direct experimental evidence for $l$-changing collisions that we previously observed indirectly [S. K. Dutta, D. Feldbaum, A. Walz-Flannigan, J. R. Guest, and G. Raithel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3993 (2001)]. We also observe $n$-mixing and find that its effects are largely in agreement with recent theoretical work on $n$-changing collisions between electrons and Rydberg atoms, thus enabling an estimation of the electron temperature. Unexpectedly large populations of atoms are found in states with principal quantum numbers much lower than that of the initially excited atoms. We explain this observation by collisions between high-$l$ Rydberg atoms, which are highly polar and can collide due to static electric-dipole forces between them.

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Measurement of Rydberg state lifetimes using cold trapped neutral atoms

Luís Gustavo Marcassa

In this paper, I review some recent high-precision Rydberg state lifetime measurements using a cold-trapped sample of neutral atoms held in a magneto-optical trap. The measurements were performed in rubidium for the S, P and D states varying the principal quantum number from n =26 to 45 using the field ionization technique. The experimental results were compared with quantum mechanical calculations and good agreement was observed. This is an important demonstration of how cold atomic samples can be used to perform high-precision spectroscopy in the time domain.

Physica Scripta•May 1, 2009•8 citations

Reply to “Comment on ‘Measurement of the lifetimes of S and D states below n=31 using cold Rydberg gas”’

L. L. Caliri, Luís Gustavo Marcassa

In response to the preceding Comment, we present important experimental information on our $S$, $P$, and $D$ Rydberg lifetime measurements for $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ using a sample of cold Rydberg atoms. We analyze and discuss the implications of blackbody radiation transfer on our results. We also discuss the limitation of the theory compared with our results.

Physical Review A•Jun 29, 2007•10 citations
In this paper we have extended our previous work [de Oliveira et al., Phys. Rev. A 65, 031401 (2002)] by measuring the SSS and DDD Rydberg lifetimes for 85Rb^{85}\mathrm{Rb}85Rb for principal quantum number between n=26n=26n=26 and 31 using a sample of cold Rydberg atoms. This range is limited by the amplitude of the electric field that we can generate in our present setup.
A recent paper by [Nascimento et al., Phys. Rev. A 74, 054501 (2006)], and a previous paper from the same group [de Oliveira et al., Phys. Rev. A 65 031401(R) (2002)], report measurements of Rydberg lifetimes in rubidium in the range $27\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}44$. In this Comment, we point out one apparent flaw of experimental technique in these papers that may lead to systematic errors in the results. We also clarify a point of theoretical interpretation used in these papers which suggests that the agreement between experiment and theory may not be as good as it seems.
Summary form only given. Measurements of Rydberg states lifetime are a powerful test for calculations involving many-body problems and alkali atoms, and have been used as prototypes for such a study. Cold trapped atoms provide an interesting sample to investigate high excited states lifetime with great advantage compared to traditional atomic beam techniques. Effects on measured lifetimes of the excited atoms such as superradiance and collisions may be controlled and even suppressed by using cold atoms held in a trap. In this work we measured the lifetime of a sequence of states S, P and D as a function of the principal quantum number (n). These highly excited states have remarkable properties due to their weakly bound outer electron energies and their electron's large orbit radius. Due to the very weak binding energies, these states tend to be very sensitive to perturbations, such as external electric fields that are used to detect atoms in these states.
In this paper, we demonstrate the use of a cold trapped sample of neutral atoms to perform high-precision measurement of the lifetime for a sequence of Rydberg states of 85Rb.{}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}.85Rb. States of principal quantum number lying between n=31n=31n=31 and n=45n=45n=45 are produced and their lifetimes measured using field ionization. Experimental results are compared with existing theories. This is an important demonstration concerning the possibilities of high-precision spectroscopy in the time domain using cold atomic samples.
Using state-selective field ionization, the state distributions of Rydberg atoms in cold Rydberg gases are measured for various initially excited Rydberg levels, populations, and evolution times. We provide direct experimental evidence for lll-changing collisions that we previously observed indirectly [S. K. Dutta, D. Feldbaum, A. Walz-Flannigan, J. R. Guest, and G. Raithel, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 3993 (2001)]. We also observe nnn-mixing and find that its effects are largely in agreement with recent theoretical work on nnn-changing collisions between electrons and Rydberg atoms, thus enabling an estimation of the electron temperature. Unexpectedly large populations of atoms are found in states with principal quantum numbers much lower than that of the initially excited atoms. We explain this observation by collisions between high-lll Rydberg atoms, which are highly polar and can collide due to static electric-dipole forces between them.
In this paper, I review some recent high-precision Rydberg state lifetime measurements using a cold-trapped sample of neutral atoms held in a magneto-optical trap. The measurements were performed in rubidium for the S, P and D states varying the principal quantum number from n =26 to 45 using the field ionization technique. The experimental results were compared with quantum mechanical calculations and good agreement was observed. This is an important demonstration of how cold atomic samples can be used to perform high-precision spectroscopy in the time domain.
In response to the preceding Comment, we present important experimental information on our SSS, PPP, and DDD Rydberg lifetime measurements for 85Rb^{85}\mathrm{Rb}85Rb using a sample of cold Rydberg atoms. We analyze and discuss the implications of blackbody radiation transfer on our results. We also discuss the limitation of the theory compared with our results.