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Physical Review A

Calculation of autoionization rates for high-angular-momentum Rydberg states

William E. Cooke, Thomas F. Gallagher

Published Jun 1, 1979• 27 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The authors demonstrate that, for excited-core Rydberg states of high angular momentum $l$, a simple relationship exists between the autoionization rate and the quantum defect of the corresponding ground-core state. For many cases, both quantities can be expressed in terms of the dipole polarizability of the core. The autoionization rates of the excited-core Sr ($5\mathrm{pnl}$) states are calculated as an example, and compared to existing experimental data.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.19.2151

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The authors demonstrate that, for excited-core Rydberg states of high angular momentum lll, a simple relationship exists between the autoionization rate and the quantum defect of the corresponding ground-core state. For many cases, both quantities can be expressed in terms of the dipole polarizability of the core. The autoionization rates of the excited-core Sr (5pnl5\mathrm{pnl}5pnl) states are calculated as an example, and compared to existing experimental data.
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We study, using a combination of experiment and theory, the excitation and decay of very-high-$n\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}(n\ensuremath{\sim}280\text{--}430)$ strontium autoionizing Rydberg states formed by near-resonant driving of the $5s\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{2}S_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5p\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{2}P_{1/2}$ core-ion transition. The branching ratio between decay through radiative transitions and through autoionization is explored. Autoionization rates are measured as a function of both the nnn and $\ensuremath{\ell}$ quantum numbers of the Rydberg electron. The nonstationary decay dynamics is studied by creating and manipulating Rydberg wave packets and by varying the laser pulse that drives the core excitation.