We report on measurements of the population of Rydberg states of Na in a constant electric field that result when 300-K blackbody radiation induces transitions from initial states with |m|=0,1 to neighboring states. Our measurements included comprehensive ranges of initial states ( ${\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{i}}^{\mathrm{*}}$ =24--29), repopulation times ( ${\mathrm{t}}_{\mathrm{d}}$ =0--50 \ensuremath{\mu}s), and fields ( ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ =175--712 V/cm). We find that the population is redistributed nonuniformly among states neighboring the initial state, reflective of sharp resonances between the states. By comparing calculations of transition probabilities in Na to the data for ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{s}}$ =200 V/cm we were able to identify the populated states. Comparisons with calculations in H reveal that these resonances are hydrogenic.We report on measurements of the population of Rydberg states of Na in a constant electric field that result when 300-K blackbody radiation induces transitions from initial states with |m|=0,1 to neighboring states. Our measurements included comprehensive ranges of initial states (${\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{i}}^{\mathrm{*}}$=24--29), repopulation times (${\mathrm{t}}_{\mathrm{d}}$=0--50 \ensuremath{\mu}s), and fields (${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{s}}$=175--712 V/cm). We find that the population is redistributed nonuniformly among states neighboring the initial state, reflective of sharp resonances between the states. By comparing calculations of transition probabilities in Na to the data for ${\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{s}}$=200 V/cm we were able to identify the populated states. Comparisons with calculations in H reveal that these resonances are hydrogenic.

Physical Review AApr 1, 199712 citations

Collective effects on ionization of Rydberg sodium atoms by blackbody radiation

F. Fuso, M. Allegrini, Roman S. Dygdała +2 more

Optics CommunicationsJan 1, 19913 citations

Ionization of Rydberg atoms by blackbody radiation

I I Beterov, D B Tretyakov, I I Ryabtsev +3 more

We have studied ionization of alkali-metal Rydberg atoms by blackbody radiation (BBR). The results of theoretical calculations of ionization rates of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs Rydberg atoms are presented. The calculations have been performed for n S, n P and n D states for principal quantum numbers n =8–65 at ambient temperatures of 77, 300 and 600 K. The calculations take into account the contributions of BBR-induced redistribution of population between Rydberg states prior to photoionization and field ionization by extraction electric field pulses. The obtained results show that these phenomena affect both the magnitude of the measured ionization rates and their n dependence. A Cooper minimum for BBR-induced transitions between bound Rydberg states of Li has been found. The calculated ionization rates are compared with our earlier measurements of BBR-induced ionization rates of Na n S and n D Rydberg states with n =8–20 at 300 K. Good agreement for all states except n S with n >15 is observed. Useful analytical formulae for quick estimates of BBR ionization rates of Rydberg atoms are presented. Application of BBR-induced ionization signal to measurements of collisional ionization rates is demonstrated.We have studied ionization of alkali-metal Rydberg atoms by blackbody radiation (BBR). The results of theoretical calculations of ionization rates of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs Rydberg atoms are presented. The calculations have been performed for n S, n P and n D states for principal quantum numbers n =8–65 at ambient temperatures of 77, 300 and 600 K. The calculations take into account the contributions of BBR-induced redistribution of population between Rydberg states prior to photoionization and field ionization by extraction electric field pulses. The obtained results show that these phenomena affect both the magnitude of the measured ionization rates and their n dependence. A Cooper minimum for BBR-induced transitions between bound Rydberg states of Li has been found. The calculated ionization rates are compared with our earlier measurements of BBR-induced ionization rates of Na n S and n D Rydberg states with n =8–20 at 300 K. Good agreement for all states except n S with n >15 is observed. Useful analytical formulae for quick estimates of BBR ionization rates of Rydberg atoms are presented. Application of BBR-induced ionization signal to measurements of collisional ionization rates is demonstrated.

arXiv:0807.2535New Journal of PhysicsJan 30, 200955 citations

Interaction of Rydberg atoms with blackbody radiation

Thomas F. Gallagher

Jan 1, 19832 citations

{\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{i}}^{\mathrm{*}}

=24--29), repopulation times (

{\mathrm{t}}_{\mathrm{d}}

=0--50 \ensuremath{\mu}s), and fields (

{\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{s}}

=175--712 V/cm). We find that the population is redistributed nonuniformly among states neighboring the initial state, reflective of sharp resonances between the states. By comparing calculations of transition probabilities in Na to the data for

{\mathrm{F}}_{\mathrm{s}}

=200 V/cm we were able to identify the populated states. Comparisons with calculations in H reveal that these resonances are hydrogenic.