Theoretical study of Rydberg atoms in strong fields

Mikhail Vladimirovich Fedorov

A review is given of the published theoretical and experimental investigations of the interference stabilisation of Rydberg atoms by a strong optical field. The physical nature of the effect, the models used to describe it, the alternative stabilisation mechanisms, and the extent to which the theoretical results match the published experimental data are discussed.

Daniel Kleppner, Michael G. Littman, Myron L. Zimmerman

J. C. Gay

R. F. Stebbings, F. B. Dunning

List of contributors Preface 1. Rydberg atoms in astrophysics A. Dalgarno 2. Theoretical studies of hydrogen Rydberg atoms in electric fields R. J. Damburg and V. V. Kolosov 3. Rydberg atoms in strong fields D. Kleppner, Michael G. Littman and Myron L. Zimmerman 4. Spectroscopy of one- and two-electron Rydberg atoms C. Fabre and S. Haroche 5. Interaction of Rydberg atoms with blackbody radiation T. F. Gallagher 6. Theoretical approaches to low-energy collisions of Rydberg atoms with atoms and ions A. P. Hickman, R. E. Olson and J. Pascale 7. Experimental studies of the interaction of Rydberg atoms with atomic species at thermal energies F. Gounand and J. Berlande 8. Theoretical studies of collisions of Rydberg atoms with molecules Michio Matsuzawa 9. Experimental studies of thermal-energy collisions of Rydberg atoms with molecules F. B. Dunning and R. F. Stebbings 10. High-Rydberg molecules Robert S. Freund 11. Theory of Rydberg collisions with electrons, ions and neutrals M. R. Flannery 12. Experimental studies of the interactions of Rydberg atoms with charged particles J. -F. Delpech 13. Rydberg studies using fast beams Peter M. Koch Index.

Thomas F. Gallagher

R.E. Olson

During the last two years, theoretical studies were performed on a variety of topics related to collisions involving Rydberg atoms. Progress was made towards the understanding of ion-Rydberg atom, Rydberg atom-Rydberg atom, and ground state atom-Rydberg atom collisions. Cross sections were calculated for electron capture, ionization, and excitation processes and parametrized in terms of atomic parameters. A strong dc electric field was also incoporated in calculations of electron capture and ionization cross sections for ion-Rydberg atom collisions. The results of this latter investigation indicate the design of a far ir photon detector which is based on the field ionization of Rydberg atoms may be limited by the collision processes. (Author)