Physical Review A

Resonances for Rydberg atoms in a precessing electric field of constant amplitude

Valentin N. Ostrovsky, Erik Horsdal-Pedersen

Published Mar 26, 2003• 7 citations

Abstract

The quasienergy spectrum of hydrogenlike Rydberg atoms in a precessing electric field of constant amplitude is found in simple form. Resonant intrashell transitions occur for specific field values when a (small) additional static electric field perpendicular to the precession axis is present. Sequences of such transitions may enhance the microwave ionization of a Rydberg atom. C. H. Cheng and T. F. Gallagher [Phys. Rev. A 61, 063411 (2000)] recently observed a one-photon resonance of this type. We evaluate the widths of one-photon intrashell resonances, and develop a general approach to the N-photon case within the framework of a quasienergy representation.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.67.033408

Related papers

Ionization of Rydberg atoms by a precessing electric field of constant amplitude

C. H. Cheng, Thomas F. Gallagher

Physical Review AMay 16, 20007 citations

Unidentified transitions in one-photon intrashell dynamics in Rydberg atoms

Jana Preclíková, A. Waheed, Daniel E. Fregenal +6 more

Physical Review AApr 18, 20124 citations

Multiphoton intrashell resonances in Rydberg atoms: Bloch-Siegert shifts and widths

Daniel E. Fregenal, Erik Horsdal-Pedersen, Lars Bojer Madsen +3 more

Physical Review AMar 15, 200419 citations

Suppression of multiphoton intrashell resonances in Li Rydberg atoms

A. Waheed, Daniel E. Fregenal, Øyvind Frette +5 more

Physical Review AJun 28, 20112 citations

Electric-field-controlled resonant energy transfer between polar ground-state molecules and highly-excited Rydberg atoms

S. D. Hogan

SPIE NanophotonicsMay 24, 20220 citations

Resonant scattering of three-level Rydberg atoms in a microwave field

A. V. Bezverbnyĭ, Igor M. Beterov, Anatolii M Tumaikin +1 more

Journal of Experimental and Theoretical PhysicsMar 1, 19970 citations

Physical Review A

Resonances for Rydberg atoms in a precessing electric field of constant amplitude

Valentin N. Ostrovsky, Erik Horsdal-Pedersen

Published Mar 26, 2003• 7 citations

Publisher

Abstract

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.67.033408

Related papers

Ionization of Rydberg atoms by a precessing electric field of constant amplitude

C. H. Cheng, Thomas F. Gallagher

We have studied in detail the continuous evolution from static field ionization to ionization by a circularly polarized microwave field by combining a z-polarized static field with a circularly polarized microwave field in the x-y plane. We have measured the ionization threshold for Na states of $27<~n<~50$ in the precessing total field ${F}_{t},$ as a function of its angle \ensuremath{\theta} from the z axis. For low n, ${F}_{t}\ensuremath{\cong}{1/16n}^{4},$ independent of \ensuremath{\theta}. For $n>~45,$ ${F}_{t}$ decreases from ${1/16n}^{4}$ to ${0.8/16n}^{4}$ as \ensuremath{\theta} is increased from 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 25\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, and it remains at this value until $\ensuremath{\theta}=90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}.$ We also observe ionization at quite low values of ${F}_{t},$ which we attribute to resonantly enhanced ionization, with the resonances driven by a stray static field in the x-y plane.We have studied in detail the continuous evolution from static field ionization to ionization by a circularly polarized microwave field by combining a z-polarized static field with a circularly polarized microwave field in the x-y plane. We have measured the ionization threshold for Na states of $27<~n<~50$ in the precessing total field ${F}_{t},$ as a function of its angle \ensuremath{\theta} from the z axis. For low n, ${F}_{t}\ensuremath{\cong}{1/16n}^{4},$ independent of \ensuremath{\theta}. For $n>~45,$ ${F}_{t}$ decreases from ${1/16n}^{4}$ to ${0.8/16n}^{4}$ as \ensuremath{\theta} is increased from 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 25\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, and it remains at this value until $\ensuremath{\theta}=90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}.$ We also observe ionization at quite low values of ${F}_{t},$ which we attribute to resonantly enhanced ionization, with the resonances driven by a stray static field in the x-y plane.

Physical Review AMay 16, 20007 citations

Unidentified transitions in one-photon intrashell dynamics in Rydberg atoms

Jana Preclíková, A. Waheed, Daniel E. Fregenal +6 more

One-photon intrashell transitions in strongly driven Li ( $n=25$ ) atoms are studied experimentally. The degeneracy of the $n$ shell is lifted by orthogonal dc electric and magnetic fields, which also define the eccentricity of the initial coherent elliptic state. The transitions are driven by a radio frequency pulse linearly polarized parallel to the major axis of the ellipse. A small dc electric field component parallel to the magnetic field splits the one-photon resonance into two, and transitions in between are studied by state-selective field ionization. Unexpected lines in the ionization spectra relating to unknown transitions are found and discussed.One-photon intrashell transitions in strongly driven Li ($n=25$) atoms are studied experimentally. The degeneracy of the $n$ shell is lifted by orthogonal dc electric and magnetic fields, which also define the eccentricity of the initial coherent elliptic state. The transitions are driven by a radio frequency pulse linearly polarized parallel to the major axis of the ellipse. A small dc electric field component parallel to the magnetic field splits the one-photon resonance into two, and transitions in between are studied by state-selective field ionization. Unexpected lines in the ionization spectra relating to unknown transitions are found and discussed.

Physical Review AApr 18, 20124 citations

Multiphoton intrashell resonances in Rydberg atoms: Bloch-Siegert shifts and widths

Daniel E. Fregenal, Erik Horsdal-Pedersen, Lars Bojer Madsen +3 more

We measure for the first time, to our knowledge, $N$ -photon intrashell resonances, widths, and Bloch-Siegert shifts up to $N=23$ . Rydberg atoms of Li $(n=25)$ in a rotating electric field and a static, in-plane electric or magnetic field are used. The measurements, in conjunction with theoretical estimates, precisely determine the characteristics of the resonances (shifts and widths) and their dependence on the strength of the rotating field.We measure for the first time, to our knowledge, $N$-photon intrashell resonances, widths, and Bloch-Siegert shifts up to $N=23$. Rydberg atoms of Li $(n=25)$ in a rotating electric field and a static, in-plane electric or magnetic field are used. The measurements, in conjunction with theoretical estimates, precisely determine the characteristics of the resonances (shifts and widths) and their dependence on the strength of the rotating field.

Physical Review AMar 15, 200419 citations

Suppression of multiphoton intrashell resonances in Li Rydberg atoms

A. Waheed, Daniel E. Fregenal, Øyvind Frette +5 more

Multiphoton intrashell transitions in strongly driven Li ( $n=25$ ) Rydberg atoms are studied experimentally. Orthogonal dc electric and magnetic fields lift the degeneracy of the $n$ shell and define the eccentricity $e$ of the initial coherent elliptic states, which are formed by laser excitation and subsequent adiabatic transformation. The intrashell transitions are driven by a time-harmonic electric field linearly polarized parallel to the major axis of the ellipse. $N$ -photon resonances with $N=1\ensuremath{-}9$ are studied as a function of $e$ . All resonances with $N\ensuremath{\geqslant}3$ are suppressed at certain $e$ values in between $0$ and $1$ . A similar system was analyzed by Yabuzaki et al. [Phys. Rev. A 10, 1955 (1974)] who found a simple pattern of suppressions that applies also for the present experiments. The results of these experimentally confirm that each time $N$ is increased by two, an additional suppression is observed.Multiphoton intrashell transitions in strongly driven Li ($n=25$) Rydberg atoms are studied experimentally. Orthogonal dc electric and magnetic fields lift the degeneracy of the $n$ shell and define the eccentricity $e$ of the initial coherent elliptic states, which are formed by laser excitation and subsequent adiabatic transformation. The intrashell transitions are driven by a time-harmonic electric field linearly polarized parallel to the major axis of the ellipse. $N$-photon resonances with $N=1\ensuremath{-}9$ are studied as a function of $e$. All resonances with $N\ensuremath{\geqslant}3$ are suppressed at certain $e$ values in between $0$ and $1$. A similar system was analyzed by Yabuzaki et al. [Phys. Rev. A 10, 1955 (1974)] who found a simple pattern of suppressions that applies also for the present experiments. The results of these experimentally confirm that each time $N$ is increased by two, an additional suppression is observed.

Physical Review AJun 28, 20112 citations

Electric-field-controlled resonant energy transfer between polar ground-state molecules and highly-excited Rydberg atoms

S. D. Hogan

The large electric dipole moments associated with transitions between Rydberg states of atoms or molecules, make them ideal model systems with which to study Förster resonance energy transfer in collisions with other Rydberg atoms or molecules, or with polar ground-state molecules [1,2]. The sensitivity of high Rydberg states to electric fields allows these energy transfer processes to be tuned thorough resonance by exploiting the Stark effect. In this talk, I will describe recent experiments in which we have observed the resonant transfer of energy from the ground-state inversion sublevels in ammonia, to helium atoms in triplet Rydberg states with principal quantum numbers between 38 and 43. The experiments were performed at translational temperatures below 1 K in seeded, pulsed supersonic beams [3]. Electric fields up to ~10 V/cm were used to tune transitions between selected Rydberg states into resonance with the transitions between the inversion sublevels. Resonant energy transfer was identified by Rydberg-state-selective electric-field ionisation. The experimental data exhibit quantum-state-dependent resonance widths that range from 200 to 700 MHz and, in general, reduce as the value of the principal quantum number is increased. Comparison with the results of numerical calculations of the Rydberg energy-level structure and transition moments, shows a dependence of the measured widths on the electric dipole transition moments of the Rydberg-Rydberg transitions. These results are of particular interest, e.g., for applications in coherent control and quantum sensing [4-6], and in the study of low-temperature ion-molecule reactions performed within the orbit of a Rydberg electron [7]. [1] T. F. Gallagher, Phys. Rep. 210, 319 (1992) [2] F. B. Dunning, S. Buathong, Int. Rev. Phys. Chem. 37, 287 (2018) [3] K. Gawlas and S. D. Hogan, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 11, 83 (2020) [4] M. Zeppenfeld, Euro. Phys. Lett. 118, 13002 (2017). [5] E. Kuznetsova, S. T. Rittenhouse, H. R. Sadeghpour, and S. F. Yelin, Phys. Rev. A 94, 032325 (2016). [6] E. Kuznetsova, S. T. Rittenhouse, H. R. Sadeghpour, and S. F. Yelin, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 13, 17115 (2011). [7] K. Höveler, J. Deiglmayr, J. A. Agner, H. Schmutz and F. Merkt, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 23, 2676 (2021).The large electric dipole moments associated with transitions between Rydberg states of atoms or molecules, make them ideal model systems with which to study Förster resonance energy transfer in collisions with other Rydberg atoms or molecules, or with polar ground-state molecules [1,2]. The sensitivity of high Rydberg states to electric fields allows these energy transfer processes to be tuned thorough resonance by exploiting the Stark effect. In this talk, I will describe recent experiments in which we have observed the resonant transfer of energy from the ground-state inversion sublevels in ammonia, to helium atoms in triplet Rydberg states with principal quantum numbers between 38 and 43. The experiments were performed at translational temperatures below 1 K in seeded, pulsed supersonic beams [3]. Electric fields up to ~10 V/cm were used to tune transitions between selected Rydberg states into resonance with the transitions between the inversion sublevels. Resonant energy transfer was identified by Rydberg-state-selective electric-field ionisation. The experimental data exhibit quantum-state-dependent resonance widths that range from 200 to 700 MHz and, in general, reduce as the value of the principal quantum number is increased. Comparison with the results of numerical calculations of the Rydberg energy-level structure and transition moments, shows a dependence of the measured widths on the electric dipole transition moments of the Rydberg-Rydberg transitions. These results are of particular interest, e.g., for applications in coherent control and quantum sensing [4-6], and in the study of low-temperature ion-molecule reactions performed within the orbit of a Rydberg electron [7]. [1] T. F. Gallagher, Phys. Rep. 210, 319 (1992) [2] F. B. Dunning, S. Buathong, Int. Rev. Phys. Chem. 37, 287 (2018) [3] K. Gawlas and S. D. Hogan, J. Phys. Chem. Lett. 11, 83 (2020) [4] M. Zeppenfeld, Euro. Phys. Lett. 118, 13002 (2017). [5] E. Kuznetsova, S. T. Rittenhouse, H. R. Sadeghpour, and S. F. Yelin, Phys. Rev. A 94, 032325 (2016). [6] E. Kuznetsova, S. T. Rittenhouse, H. R. Sadeghpour, and S. F. Yelin, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 13, 17115 (2011). [7] K. Höveler, J. Deiglmayr, J. A. Agner, H. Schmutz and F. Merkt, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys. 23, 2676 (2021).

SPIE NanophotonicsMay 24, 20220 citations

Resonant scattering of three-level Rydberg atoms in a microwave field

A. V. Bezverbnyĭ, Igor M. Beterov, Anatolii M Tumaikin +1 more

We examine the theory of potential scattering of Rydberg atoms in a microwave field. The model of a three-level atom is employed to calculate the radiative force emerging in the resonant coherent interaction with the microwave field for the case of a two-photon resonance and high intensities, using the method of quasienergies of the system consisting of the atom and the field. We determine the probabilities of Landau-Zener transitions in the spatial regions where under two-photon resonance conditions the quasienergies of the atoms approach one another by a small quantity. We also study the dynamics of the variation of the spatial profile of a beam of Rydberg atoms caused by resonant scattering. Finally, we give the results of the first experimental observation of the variation of the transverse beam profile when Rydberg atoms pass through a nonuniform microwave field formed in a rectangular waveguide and in resonance with the two-photon 36 P –37 P transition.We examine the theory of potential scattering of Rydberg atoms in a microwave field. The model of a three-level atom is employed to calculate the radiative force emerging in the resonant coherent interaction with the microwave field for the case of a two-photon resonance and high intensities, using the method of quasienergies of the system consisting of the atom and the field. We determine the probabilities of Landau-Zener transitions in the spatial regions where under two-photon resonance conditions the quasienergies of the atoms approach one another by a small quantity. We also study the dynamics of the variation of the spatial profile of a beam of Rydberg atoms caused by resonant scattering. Finally, we give the results of the first experimental observation of the variation of the transverse beam profile when Rydberg atoms pass through a nonuniform microwave field formed in a rectangular waveguide and in resonance with the two-photon 36 P –37 P transition.

Journal of Experimental and Theoretical PhysicsMar 1, 19970 citations

27<~n<~50

in the precessing total field

{F}_{t},

as a function of its angle \ensuremath{\theta} from the z axis. For low n, ${F}_{t}\ensuremath{\cong}{1/16n}^{4},$ independent of \ensuremath{\theta}. For

n>~45,

{F}_{t}

decreases from

{1/16n}^{4}

{0.8/16n}^{4}

as \ensuremath{\theta} is increased from 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} to 25\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, and it remains at this value until $\ensuremath{\theta}=90\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}.$ We also observe ionization at quite low values of

{F}_{t},

which we attribute to resonantly enhanced ionization, with the resonances driven by a stray static field in the x-y plane.

One-photon intrashell transitions in strongly driven Li (

n=25

) atoms are studied experimentally. The degeneracy of the

n

shell is lifted by orthogonal dc electric and magnetic fields, which also define the eccentricity of the initial coherent elliptic state. The transitions are driven by a radio frequency pulse linearly polarized parallel to the major axis of the ellipse. A small dc electric field component parallel to the magnetic field splits the one-photon resonance into two, and transitions in between are studied by state-selective field ionization. Unexpected lines in the ionization spectra relating to unknown transitions are found and discussed.

We measure for the first time, to our knowledge,

N

-photon intrashell resonances, widths, and Bloch-Siegert shifts up to

N=23

. Rydberg atoms of Li

(n=25)

in a rotating electric field and a static, in-plane electric or magnetic field are used. The measurements, in conjunction with theoretical estimates, precisely determine the characteristics of the resonances (shifts and widths) and their dependence on the strength of the rotating field.

Multiphoton intrashell transitions in strongly driven Li (

n=25

) Rydberg atoms are studied experimentally. Orthogonal dc electric and magnetic fields lift the degeneracy of the

n

shell and define the eccentricity

e

of the initial coherent elliptic states, which are formed by laser excitation and subsequent adiabatic transformation. The intrashell transitions are driven by a time-harmonic electric field linearly polarized parallel to the major axis of the ellipse.

N

-photon resonances with $N=1\ensuremath{-}9$ are studied as a function of

e

. All resonances with $N\ensuremath{\geqslant}3$ are suppressed at certain

e

values in between

0

and

1

. A similar system was analyzed by Yabuzaki et al. [Phys. Rev. A 10, 1955 (1974)] who found a simple pattern of suppressions that applies also for the present experiments. The results of these experimentally confirm that each time

N

is increased by two, an additional suppression is observed.