Rydberg atom wavefunctions

Kirtee Kumar, Vinod Prasad

We calculate the analytical and numerical values of the position space Shannon entropy, momentum space Shannon entropy, and total Shannon entropy, [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text], respectively, of free and trapped Rydberg hydrogen-like atoms. The influence of atomic number Z, the principal quantum number n, and energy E on the Shannon entropy of the Rydberg atoms are illustrated. The scaling properties of Shannon entropy with energy of states E and the principal quantum number n have been reported for the first time to the best of our knowledge. Our work explains how Shannon entropy indicates localization-delocalization of the wavefunction. The total Shannon entropy as a measure of the number of nodes in the trapped Rydberg atom's wavefunction is also discussed. We show why an uncertainty relation based on Shannon entropy is superior to Heisenberg uncertainty for Rydberg atoms.

Kashif Ammar Yasir, Wu-Ming Liu

Jonathan D. Pritchard

Tomasz Karpiuk, Mirosław Brewczyk, Kazimierz Rza̧żewski +5 more

Abstract We numerically analyze the impact of a single Rydberg electron onto a Bose–Einstein condensate. Both S - and D -Rydberg states are studied. The radial size of S - and D -states are comparable, hence the only difference is due to the angular dependence of the wavefunctions. We find the atom losses in the condensate after the excitation of a sequence of Rydberg atoms. Additionally, we investigate the mechanical effect in which the Rydberg atoms force the condensate to oscillate. Our numerical analysis is based on the classical fields approximation. Finally, we compare numerical results to experimental data.

Daniel Kleppner

Sarah Elizabeth Anderson

I examine the trapping of Rydberg atoms in an optical standing wave. This trap, called an optical lattice, offers a platform for utilizing Rydberg atoms and their unique properties in applications such as atomic spectroscopy and quantum computing. Toward this end, I demonstrate the capability to trap rubidium 85 Rydberg atoms in a one-dimensional 1064 nm wavelength optical lattice with high efficiency. I have achieved a 90% trapping efficiency by inverting the lattice immediately after Rydberg-atom excitation, using an electro-optic technique. In addition, I investigate the dependence of optical-lattice trapping potentials for Rydberg atoms on the angular portion of the atomic wavefunction. While ground-state atoms are point-like in relation to an optical-lattice field, Rydberg-atom wavefunctions extend over a substantial fraction of the lattice period, leading to an angular dependence of the lattice trapping potentials. I measure the potentials using various angular sublevels of Rydberg nD states prepared in the optical lattice with a superimposed transverse DC electric field. This unique angular dependence of Rydberg-atom optical lattices may be exploited to tailor the trapping potentials as needed for spectroscopy or quantum computing. Further, atom loss due to lattice-induced photoionization of Rydberg atoms must be characterized for applications. I investigate the photoionization process as a function of position within the volume of a Rydberg atom. Since Rydberg-atom sizes approximately equal the lattice period, the lattice intensity varies maximally within the atomic volume. I find that photoionization rates are higher for lattice intensity maxima located near the nucleus than within the lobes of the electronic probability distribution. Photoionization therefore occurs near the Rydberg-atom nucleus. Finally, I calculate photoionization rates for Rydberg atoms in optical fields and investigate how these rates relate to the validity of the electric dipole approximation. This approximation is usually central to matter-field interactions, and Rydberg atoms in optical fields present a system for studying the approximation in a limiting case. I further apply the photoionization calculations to experimentally-relevant conditions. With these advances, this thesis lays essential groundwork for the employment of Rydberg-atom optical lattices in applications.