Observation of resonant electric dipole-dipole interactions between cold Rydberg atoms using microwave spectroscopy
K. Afrousheh
Abstract
I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii This thesis reports the first observation of the resonant electric dipole-dipole interaction between cold Rydberg atoms using microwave spectroscopy, the observation of the magnetic field suppression of resonant interactions, and the development of a unique technique for precise magnetic field measurements. ARydbergstate(46d 5/2) of laser cooled 85 Rb atoms has been optically excited. A fraction of these atoms has been transferred to another Rydberg state (47p 3/2 or 45f 5/2,7/2) to introduce resonant electric dipole-dipole interactions. The line broadening of the two-photon 46d 5/2 − 47d 5/2 microwave transition due to the interaction of 46d 5/2 with 47p 3/2 or 45f 5/2,7/2 atoms has been used as a probe of the interatomic interactions. This experiment has been repeated with a DC magnetic field applied. The application of a weak magnetic field ( ≤ 0.6 G) has reduced