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

Physical Review Letters

Frequency Shifts, Line Broadenings, and Phase-Interference Effects in Rb**+Rb Collisions, Measured by Doppler-Free Two-Photon Spectroscopy

Boris Peter Stoicheff, E. Weinberger

Published Mar 17, 1980• 84 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Self-broadenings and frequency shifts of ${n}^{2}S$ and ${n}^{2}D$ Rydberg levels (up to $n\ensuremath{\sim}70$) have been measured for rubidium in the pressure range of 3 to 100 mTorr, and the general dependence on principal quantum number $n$ has been established for this low-pressure regime. A closer examination has revealed large (almost evenly spaced) oscillations in the dependence of linewidth on principal quantum number for the $^{2}S$ levels in the region of largest linewidth ($n\ensuremath{\sim}20 \mathrm{to} 30$).

DOI
10.1103/physrevlett.44.733

Related papers

Frequency shifts and line broadenings in collisions between Rydberg and ground-state alkali-metal atoms

Douglas C. Thompson, E. Weinberger, Guoqing Xu +1 more

The technique of Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy was used to measure rates for line broadenings and frequency shifts of Rydberg levels with pressure. Measurements were made of spectra of $^{2}\mathrm{S}$ and $^{2}\mathrm{D}$ states (with n\ensuremath{\sim}10--40) for ${\mathrm{Rb}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}$+Rb and ${\mathrm{K}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}$+K, and of $^{2}\mathrm{S}$ states (with n=14--29) for ${\mathrm{K}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}$+Rb. Large oscillations are observed in both broadening and shift rates for n\ensuremath{\sim}20--30 in all series except for the $^{2}\mathrm{D}$ series in ${\mathrm{Rb}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}$+Rb. Overall rates for broadening and shift are compared with a theory based on the ``free-electron'' model. The observed oscillations are inconsistent with theories based on the resonance scattering of the Rydberg electron by the perturbing atom. A possible alternative mechanism related to interference in l-mixing collisions is suggested.

Physical Review A•Jan 1, 1987•35 citations

Pressure shifts and broadenings of Rb Rydberg states by Ne, Kr, and H2

Douglas C. Thompson, E. Kammermayer, Boris Peter Stoicheff +1 more

Broadening and shift rates for Rb $^{2}\mathrm{S}$ and $^{2}\mathrm{D}$ Rydberg states with principal quantum number n\ensuremath{\sim}10--50 have been measured for Ne, Kr, and ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ perturbers, using the technique of Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy. From the shift rates at high n, we derived electron scattering lengths of (0.24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01)${a}_{0}$ for Ne, (-4.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)${a}_{0}$ for Kr, and (1.64\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07)${a}_{0}$ for ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$. For Ne and Kr, these are in good agreement with other experimental values. Also, the n dependence of broadening and shift rates follows theoretical predictions for Ne and Kr, but not for ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$.

Physical Review A•Sep 1, 1987•26 citations

Collisions between Sr Rydberg atoms of intermediate and high principal quantum numbers and noble gases at thermal energies

K -D Heber, P. J. West, Eckart Matthias

Pressure shift and broadening measurements of 5snd 1 D 2 and 5snd 3 D 2 Rydberg states of Sr I due to Xe have been performed in the range 8<or=n<or=35 by means of Doppler-free two-photon excitation, combined with thermionic detection and the use of a molecular frequency standard. The data show striking differences between pressure shifts and broadenings of singlet and triplet states, which up to now have not been predicted by theory.

Journal of Physics D Applied Physics•Oct 14, 1988•7 citations

Power broadening and Doppler effects of coherent dark resonances in Rb

Michael Erhard, S. Nußmann, Hanspeter Helm

Using a phase-locked laser pair we have observed dark resonances with linewidths below 30 Hz in a rubidium cell filled with neon as buffer gas. A model allowing for pressure broadening correctly reproduces the dependence of the width on the laser intensity. Consideration of velocity changing collisions reveals the absence of Doppler effects in the position and width of the dark resonance at high buffer-gas pressure.

Physical Review A•Nov 3, 2000•27 citations

Two-photon spectroscopy. II. Effects of residual Doppler broadening

Rainer Salomaa, Stig Stenholm

For pt.I see ibid., vol.8, p.1795 (1975) where the theory of Doppler-free two-photon transitions was discussed for the case of one single laser frequency. Here, the effects of two different frequencies are considered. When the residual Doppler width of the two-photon transition is less than the natural linewidth, the previous results are essentially regained. For large residual Doppler shifts, the absorption profile is a power-broadened Lorentzian if the frequency of the probe field is larger than the frequency of the strong field. In the opposite case, the absorption peak splits because of the AC Stark effect. The high-intensity distortions are minimized when equal frequencies can be used. Power-dependent shifts do not ordinarily occur with a resonantly tuned intermediate level. Some modifications of the spectra are introduced by phase-disturbing collisions.

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics•Jun 1, 1976•41 citations

Inert-gas collisional broadening and shifts of Rb Rydberg states

W.-Ü L. Tchang-Brillet, Alan C. Gallagher

The broadening and shift of several Rb $3S\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{nS}$ and $3S\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{nD}$ transitions perturbed by inert gases have been measured by Doppler-free two-photon absorption and fluorescence detection. The measured shifts are in reasonable agreement with the theoretical predictions, whereas the measured broadening rates are found to be much larger.

Physical Review A•Sep 1, 1980•42 citations
Self-broadenings and frequency shifts of n2S{n}^{2}Sn2S and n2D{n}^{2}Dn2D Rydberg levels (up to n\ensuremath∼70n\ensuremath{\sim}70n\ensuremath∼70) have been measured for rubidium in the pressure range of 3 to 100 mTorr, and the general dependence on principal quantum number nnn has been established for this low-pressure regime. A closer examination has revealed large (almost evenly spaced) oscillations in the dependence of linewidth on principal quantum number for the 2S^{2}S2S levels in the region of largest linewidth (n\ensuremath∼20to30n\ensuremath{\sim}20 \mathrm{to} 30n\ensuremath∼20to30).
The technique of Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy was used to measure rates for line broadenings and frequency shifts of Rydberg levels with pressure. Measurements were made of spectra of 2S^{2}\mathrm{S}2S and 2D^{2}\mathrm{D}2D states (with n\ensuremath{\sim}10--40) for Rb∗∗{\mathrm{Rb}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}Rb∗∗+Rb and K∗∗{\mathrm{K}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}K∗∗+K, and of 2S^{2}\mathrm{S}2S states (with n=14--29) for K∗∗{\mathrm{K}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}K∗∗+Rb. Large oscillations are observed in both broadening and shift rates for n\ensuremath{\sim}20--30 in all series except for the 2D^{2}\mathrm{D}2D series in Rb∗∗{\mathrm{Rb}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}Rb∗∗+Rb. Overall rates for broadening and shift are compared with a theory based on the ``free-electron'' model. The observed oscillations are inconsistent with theories based on the resonance scattering of the Rydberg electron by the perturbing atom. A possible alternative mechanism related to interference in l-mixing collisions is suggested.
Broadening and shift rates for Rb 2S^{2}\mathrm{S}2S and 2D^{2}\mathrm{D}2D Rydberg states with principal quantum number n\ensuremath{\sim}10--50 have been measured for Ne, Kr, and H2{\mathrm{H}}_{2}H2​ perturbers, using the technique of Doppler-free two-photon spectroscopy. From the shift rates at high n, we derived electron scattering lengths of (0.24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.01)a0{a}_{0}a0​ for Ne, (-4.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3)a0{a}_{0}a0​ for Kr, and (1.64\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07)a0{a}_{0}a0​ for H2{\mathrm{H}}_{2}H2​. For Ne and Kr, these are in good agreement with other experimental values. Also, the n dependence of broadening and shift rates follows theoretical predictions for Ne and Kr, but not for H2{\mathrm{H}}_{2}H2​.
For pt.I see ibid., vol.8, p.1795 (1975) where the theory of Doppler-free two-photon transitions was discussed for the case of one single laser frequency. Here, the effects of two different frequencies are considered. When the residual Doppler width of the two-photon transition is less than the natural linewidth, the previous results are essentially regained. For large residual Doppler shifts, the absorption profile is a power-broadened Lorentzian if the frequency of the probe field is larger than the frequency of the strong field. In the opposite case, the absorption peak splits because of the AC Stark effect. The high-intensity distortions are minimized when equal frequencies can be used. Power-dependent shifts do not ordinarily occur with a resonantly tuned intermediate level. Some modifications of the spectra are introduced by phase-disturbing collisions.