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

Ionization of sodium and rubidium nS , nP , and nD Rydberg atoms by blackbody radiation

Ilya I. Beterov, Denis B. Tretyakov, I. I. Ryabtsev +2 more

Results of theoretical calculations of ionization rates of Rb and Na Rydberg atoms by blackbody radiation (BBR) are presented. Calculations have been performed for $nS$ , $nP$ , and $nD$ states of Na and Rb, which are commonly used in a variety of experiments, at principal quantum numbers $n=8--65$ and at three ambient temperatures of 77, 300, and $600\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ . A peculiarity of our calculations is that we 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 measured ionization rates and shapes of their dependences on $n$ . The calculated ionization rates are compared with the results of our earlier measurements of BBR-induced ionization rates of Na $nS$ and $nD$ Rydberg states with $n=8--20$ at $300\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$ . A good agreement for all states except $nS$ with $n>15$ is observed. We also present the useful analytical formulas for the quick estimation of BBR ionization rates of Rydberg atoms.Results of theoretical calculations of ionization rates of Rb and Na Rydberg atoms by blackbody radiation (BBR) are presented. Calculations have been performed for $nS$, $nP$, and $nD$ states of Na and Rb, which are commonly used in a variety of experiments, at principal quantum numbers $n=8--65$ and at three ambient temperatures of 77, 300, and $600\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. A peculiarity of our calculations is that we 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 measured ionization rates and shapes of their dependences on $n$. The calculated ionization rates are compared with the results of our earlier measurements of BBR-induced ionization rates of Na $nS$ and $nD$ Rydberg states with $n=8--20$ at $300\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. A good agreement for all states except $nS$ with $n>15$ is observed. We also present the useful analytical formulas for the quick estimation of BBR ionization rates of Rydberg atoms.

arXiv:physics/0702192Physical Review AMay 30, 200747 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

{\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.

Results of theoretical calculations of ionization rates of Rb and Na Rydberg atoms by blackbody radiation (BBR) are presented. Calculations have been performed for

nS

nP

, and

nD

states of Na and Rb, which are commonly used in a variety of experiments, at principal quantum numbers

n=8--65

and at three ambient temperatures of 77, 300, and

600\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}

. A peculiarity of our calculations is that we 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 measured ionization rates and shapes of their dependences on

n

. The calculated ionization rates are compared with the results of our earlier measurements of BBR-induced ionization rates of Na

nS

and

nD

Rydberg states with

n=8--20

300\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}

. A good agreement for all states except

nS

with

n>15

is observed. We also present the useful analytical formulas for the quick estimation of BBR ionization rates of Rydberg atoms.