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

Frontiers in Optics

Inelastic Collisions in an Ultracold Cs Rydberg Gas

K. Richard Overstreet, Arne Schwettmann, Jonathan Tallant, James P. Shaffer

Published Jan 1, 2006• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

We present measurements of inelastic collisions between ultracold Cs Rydberg atoms using time-of-flight velocity distributions. The collision mechanism is identified by comparison to Rydberg atom pair potentials calculated using matrix diagonalization.
DOI
10.1364/ls.2006.ltua4

Related papers

Long Range Interactions and Inelastic Collisions in a Cold Cs Rydberg Gas

James P. Shaffer, K. Richard Overstreet, Jonathan Tallant +2 more

Studies of cold Cs Rydberg atom elastic and inelastic collisions will be presented. Elastic collisions are investigated by observing spectral line broadening and shifts. Inelastic collisions are examined by measuring photofragment angle and velocity distributions.

Frontiers in Optics•Jan 1, 2005•0 citations

Photoinitiated collisions between cold Cs Rydberg atoms

K. Richard Overstreet, Arne Schwettmann, Jonathan Tallant +1 more

Experimental studies of a photoinitiated collision in an ultracold Cs Rydberg gas are presented. The process is characterized by measuring the laser intensity dependence of the absorption, the number of particles leaving each collision, and the recoil velocity of the collision fragments. The results of the experiment are compared to ab initio Rydberg pair interaction potentials.

Physical Review A•Jul 27, 2007•47 citations

Experimental studies of cesium Rydberg atom pair interactions

K. Richard Overstreet

This thesis describes experimental studies of Rydberg atom pair interactions. A new technique is described that combines trapping of ultracold Cesium atoms with Rydberg tagging time-of-flight spectroscopy to attain a velocity resolution of 2.5 cm/s. Using this technique, observed molecular resonances in Cesium spectra are characterized as either dissociating photo-initiated collision processes or bound long range Rydberg atom-Rydberg atom molecules called macrodimers.

•Jan 1, 2009•0 citations

Emission of fast atoms from a cold Rydberg gas

Brenton Knuffman, Georg A. Raithel

Rydberg-Rydberg collisions in a cold, dense Rydberg gas can lead to the conversion of internal energy into center-of-mass energy of the colliding atoms, resulting in Rydberg-atom velocities much larger than the initial velocities in the gas. We prepare cold Rydberg-atom gases by laser excitation of laser-cooled atom clouds and use time-of-flight measurements to demonstrate the production of fast Rydberg atoms. The velocity distributions of Rydberg atoms emerging from the Rydberg-atom gases are obtained. State-selective field ionization spectra indicate a correlation between the production of fast Rydberg atoms and the presence of Penning ionization signatures. The dependence of the yield of fast Rydberg atoms on Rydberg atom density is measured.

Physical Review A•Feb 16, 2006•19 citations

Autoionization of an ultracold Rydberg gas through resonant dipole coupling

Thomas Amthor, J. Denskat, Christian Giese +4 more

Abstract. We investigate a possible mechanism for the autoionization of ultracold Rydberg gases, based on the resonant coupling of Rydberg pair states to the ionization continuum. Unlike an atomic collision where the wave functions begin to overlap, the mechanism considered here involves only the long-range dipole

•Nov 21, 2012•21 citations

Cold Cs Rydberg-gas interactions

Arne Schwettmann, Jeff Crawford, K. Richard Overstreet +1 more

We present calculations of potential curves for very high-$n$ $(89D)$ Cs Rydberg-atom pairs, including a background electric field. From these potentials, we show that energy transfer occurs at rates of $\ensuremath{\sim}30--70\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MHz}$, background electric fields play an important role and dipole-dipole- and quadrupole-quadrupole-induced avoided curve crossings should lead to conversion of electronic to kinetic energy, $n$-changing collisions, and observable ultracold long-range Rydberg molecules.

Physical Review A•Aug 25, 2006•92 citations
Rydberg-Rydberg collisions in a cold, dense Rydberg gas can lead to the conversion of internal energy into center-of-mass energy of the colliding atoms, resulting in Rydberg-atom velocities much larger than the initial velocities in the gas. We prepare cold Rydberg-atom gases by laser excitation of laser-cooled atom clouds and use time-of-flight measurements to demonstrate the production of fast Rydberg atoms. The velocity distributions of Rydberg atoms emerging from the Rydberg-atom gases are obtained. State-selective field ionization spectra indicate a correlation between the production of fast Rydberg atoms and the presence of Penning ionization signatures. The dependence of the yield of fast Rydberg atoms on Rydberg atom density is measured.
We present calculations of potential curves for very high-nnn (89D)(89D)(89D) Cs Rydberg-atom pairs, including a background electric field. From these potentials, we show that energy transfer occurs at rates of $\ensuremath{\sim}30--70\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{MHz}$, background electric fields play an important role and dipole-dipole- and quadrupole-quadrupole-induced avoided curve crossings should lead to conversion of electronic to kinetic energy, nnn-changing collisions, and observable ultracold long-range Rydberg molecules.