The dipole-dipole interaction strongly couples ultracold highly excited atoms, known as Rydberg atoms, and is the dominant mechanism for energy exchange among such atoms on microsecond time scales. I present the results of experiments that investigate this interaction using rubidium atoms excited to Rydberg states with an all-diode laser system. In the first of these, high resolution dipole-dipole interaction spectra for different magnetic sublevels of the 32d5/2 state are collected and analyzed. In the second experiment, ultracold rubidium atoms are implusively excited to coherent superpositions of three closely spaced |mj|sublevels of the 32d5/2 state in a weak electric field. The magnitude of the field sets the energy level spacing between these states, and hence the frequency of the phase dependent oscillations resulting from interference in resonant energy exchange processes. In the third experiment, the dipole-dipole interaction induced resonant energy exchange between columns of ultracold rubidium Rydberg atoms is imaged using a new technique involving selective field ionization with a spatially sensitive ion detector.The dipole-dipole interaction strongly couples ultracold highly excited atoms, known as Rydberg atoms, and is the dominant mechanism for energy exchange among such atoms on microsecond time scales. I present the results of experiments that investigate this interaction using rubidium atoms excited to Rydberg states with an all-diode laser system. In the first of these, high resolution dipole-dipole interaction spectra for different magnetic sublevels of the 32d5/2 state are collected and analyzed. In the second experiment, ultracold rubidium atoms are implusively excited to coherent superpositions of three closely spaced |mj|sublevels of the 32d5/2 state in a weak electric field. The magnitude of the field sets the energy level spacing between these states, and hence the frequency of the phase dependent oscillations resulting from interference in resonant energy exchange processes. In the third experiment, the dipole-dipole interaction induced resonant energy exchange between columns of ultracold rubidium Rydberg atoms is imaged using a new technique involving selective field ionization with a spatially sensitive ion detector.

Jan 1, 20140 citations

Resonant collisional energy transfer between Rydberg atoms

Thomas F. Gallagher

Physics ReportsJan 1, 199221 citations

Resonant Energy Transfer among Cold Rydberg Atoms

Thomas F. Gallagher

APSNov 1, 19980 citations

Dipole-dipole interaction between rubidium Rydberg atoms

Emily Altiere, Donald P. Fahey, Michael W. Noel +2 more

Ultracold Rydberg atoms in a static electric field can exchange energy via the dipole-dipole interaction. The Stark effect shifts the energy levels of the atoms which tunes the energy exchange into resonance at specific values of the electric field (F\"orster resonances). We excite rubidium atoms to Rydberg states by focusing either a 480 nm beam from a tunable dye laser or a pair of diode lasers into a magneto-optical trap. The trap lies at the center of a configuration of electrodes. We scan the electric field by controlling the voltage on the electrodes while measuring the fraction of atoms that interact. Dipole-dipole interaction spectra are presented for initially excited rubidium $nd$ states for $n=31$ to 46 and for four different pairs of initially excited rubidium $ns$ states. We also present the dipole-dipole interaction spectra for individual rubidium 32 $d$ $(j,\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{m}_{j})$ fine structure levels that have been selectively excited. The data are compared to calculated spectra.Ultracold Rydberg atoms in a static electric field can exchange energy via the dipole-dipole interaction. The Stark effect shifts the energy levels of the atoms which tunes the energy exchange into resonance at specific values of the electric field (F\"orster resonances). We excite rubidium atoms to Rydberg states by focusing either a 480 nm beam from a tunable dye laser or a pair of diode lasers into a magneto-optical trap. The trap lies at the center of a configuration of electrodes. We scan the electric field by controlling the voltage on the electrodes while measuring the fraction of atoms that interact. Dipole-dipole interaction spectra are presented for initially excited rubidium $nd$ states for $n=31$ to 46 and for four different pairs of initially excited rubidium $ns$ states. We also present the dipole-dipole interaction spectra for individual rubidium 32$d$ $(j,\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{m}_{j})$ fine structure levels that have been selectively excited. The data are compared to calculated spectra.

Physical Review ANov 28, 201126 citations

Coherent control of single atom Rydberg excitation

Todd A. Johnson, Erich Urban, Thomas Henage +4 more

Bulletin of the American Physical SocietyMay 30, 20080 citations

nd

states for

n=31

to 46 and for four different pairs of initially excited rubidium

ns

states. We also present the dipole-dipole interaction spectra for individual rubidium 32

d

(j,\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}{m}_{j})

fine structure levels that have been selectively excited. The data are compared to calculated spectra.