Atoms in high- $(n,\mathcal{l})$ states formed in cold Rydberg plasmas decay to the ground state in a succession of radiative transitions populating intermediate excited states. A classical treatment presents radiative cascade in a physically transparent way and reveals the ``trajectory'' in $n\mathcal{l}$ space obeyed by the cascade, scaling rules, and other aspects hidden within the quantal approach. Quantal-classical correspondence in radiative decay is directly demonstrated. Classical transition probabilities are also presented and are in excellent agreement with quantal transition probabilities, even for moderate quantum numbers.Atoms in high-$(n,\mathcal{l})$ states formed in cold Rydberg plasmas decay to the ground state in a succession of radiative transitions populating intermediate excited states. A classical treatment presents radiative cascade in a physically transparent way and reveals the ``trajectory'' in $n\mathcal{l}$ space obeyed by the cascade, scaling rules, and other aspects hidden within the quantal approach. Quantal-classical correspondence in radiative decay is directly demonstrated. Classical transition probabilities are also presented and are in excellent agreement with quantal transition probabilities, even for moderate quantum numbers.

Physical Review ASep 11, 200338 citations

Radiation Interaction of Rydberg Atoms

HERBERT WALTHER

Springer eBooksJan 1, 19840 citations

Radiative lifetime of high Rydberg states perturbed by a neutral atom

M. I. Chibisov, R.K. Janev, I. I. Fabrikant +2 more

Jan 1, 20070 citations

Cooling of Rydberg during radiative cascade

C L Taylor, Jingjing Zhang, F. Robicheaux

We have simulated the centre-of-mass motion of Rydberg anti-hydrogen atoms in spatially varying magnetic fields. We find that a population of anti-hydrogen can lose substantial centre-of-mass kinetic energy during the radiative cascade to the ground state. The loss of energy is due to the change in magnetic moment when photons are emitted and is akin to adiabatic cooling. We also simulate the pattern of anti-hydrogen hits on the walls of the trap and find that the existence of trapped Rydberg atoms leads to a distinctive distribution along the trap axis.We have simulated the centre-of-mass motion of Rydberg anti-hydrogen atoms in spatially varying magnetic fields. We find that a population of anti-hydrogen can lose substantial centre-of-mass kinetic energy during the radiative cascade to the ground state. The loss of energy is due to the change in magnetic moment when photons are emitted and is akin to adiabatic cooling. We also simulate the pattern of anti-hydrogen hits on the walls of the trap and find that the existence of trapped Rydberg atoms leads to a distinctive distribution along the trap axis.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical PhysicsNov 17, 200623 citations

Fine structure of Rydberg atomic states

V A Davydkin, B. A. Zon

Optics and SpectroscopyNov 1, 19830 citations

Atoms in high-

(n,\mathcal{l})

states formed in cold Rydberg plasmas decay to the ground state in a succession of radiative transitions populating intermediate excited states. A classical treatment presents radiative cascade in a physically transparent way and reveals the ``trajectory'' in

n\mathcal{l}

space obeyed by the cascade, scaling rules, and other aspects hidden within the quantal approach. Quantal-classical correspondence in radiative decay is directly demonstrated. Classical transition probabilities are also presented and are in excellent agreement with quantal transition probabilities, even for moderate quantum numbers.