The lifetimes of nS1/2 and nD5/2 (n = 60–83) cesium Rydberg states are measured accurately in a magneto-optical trap using the field ionization technique and analyzed with the existing theoretical model. The room temperature blackbody radiation (BBR) and interaction between Rydberg atoms can enhance the decay rate and reduce the spontaneous lifetime of the given Rydberg atom. The measured lifetime shows a good agreement with the calculation accounting a room temperature BBR at low enough Rydberg atomic density. The dependence of measured lifetime on atomic density shows that the collision and interaction between Rydberg atoms have a large effect on the lifetime at higher Rydberg atomic density. The scaling laws of n2.55±0.02 for nD5/2 state and n2.30±0.01 for nS1/2 state within n = 60–83 range are obtained and agreement with the model calculation with a relative deviation less than 3%.The lifetimes of nS1/2 and nD5/2 (n = 60–83) cesium Rydberg states are measured accurately in a magneto-optical trap using the field ionization technique and analyzed with the existing theoretical model. The room temperature blackbody radiation (BBR) and interaction between Rydberg atoms can enhance the decay rate and reduce the spontaneous lifetime of the given Rydberg atom. The measured lifetime shows a good agreement with the calculation accounting a room temperature BBR at low enough Rydberg atomic density. The dependence of measured lifetime on atomic density shows that the collision and interaction between Rydberg atoms have a large effect on the lifetime at higher Rydberg atomic density. The scaling laws of n2.55±0.02 for nD5/2 state and n2.30±0.01 for nS1/2 state within n = 60–83 range are obtained and agreement with the model calculation with a relative deviation less than 3%.

Applied SciencesMar 5, 20225 citations

Nonadiabatic decay of Rydberg-atom–ion molecules

Alisher Duspayev, Georg A. Raithel

The decay of Rydberg-atom--ion molecules (RAIMs) due to nonadiabatic couplings between electronic potential-energy surfaces is investigated. We employ the Born-Huang representation and perform numerical simulations using a Crank-Nicolson algorithm. The nonadiabatic lifetimes of rubidium RAIMs for the lowest ten vibrational states, $\ensuremath{\nu}$, are computed for selected Rydberg principal quantum numbers, $n$ . The nonadiabatic lifetimes are found to generally exceed the radiative Rydberg-atom lifetimes. We observe and explain a trend of the lifetimes as a function of $\ensuremath{\nu}$ and $n$ , and attribute irregularities to quantum interference arising from a shallow potential well in an inner potential surface. Our results will be useful for future spectroscopic studies of RAIMs.The decay of Rydberg-atom--ion molecules (RAIMs) due to nonadiabatic couplings between electronic potential-energy surfaces is investigated. We employ the Born-Huang representation and perform numerical simulations using a Crank-Nicolson algorithm. The nonadiabatic lifetimes of rubidium RAIMs for the lowest ten vibrational states, $\ensuremath{\nu}$, are computed for selected Rydberg principal quantum numbers, $n$. The nonadiabatic lifetimes are found to generally exceed the radiative Rydberg-atom lifetimes. We observe and explain a trend of the lifetimes as a function of $\ensuremath{\nu}$ and $n$, and attribute irregularities to quantum interference arising from a shallow potential well in an inner potential surface. Our results will be useful for future spectroscopic studies of RAIMs.

arXiv:2108.10475Physical Review AJan 14, 202213 citations

Rydberg Atom Interactions

Jonathan D. Pritchard

Springer thesesJan 1, 20120 citations

Lifetime measurement of ultracold caesium Rydberg states

Zhigang Feng, Linjie Zhang, Jianming Zhao +2 more

We measure the nS and nD (n = 30–40) state lifetimes of caesium Rydberg atoms in a conventional magneto-optical trap using the field ionization technique, which is consistent with the existing theoretical model through suppressing collisions and super-radiance effects. We also investigate variation of the lifetimes with densities of Rydberg atoms by changing the pulse energy of the dye laser. The results indicate that collisions and super-radiance effects have a large influence on the accuracy of lifetime measurement at high densities of Rydberg atoms.We measure the nS and nD (n = 30–40) state lifetimes of caesium Rydberg atoms in a conventional magneto-optical trap using the field ionization technique, which is consistent with the existing theoretical model through suppressing collisions and super-radiance effects. We also investigate variation of the lifetimes with densities of Rydberg atoms by changing the pulse energy of the dye laser. The results indicate that collisions and super-radiance effects have a large influence on the accuracy of lifetime measurement at high densities of Rydberg atoms.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical PhysicsJun 17, 200927 citations

Rydberg Atoms

Thomas F. Gallagher

Springer handbooksJan 1, 200631 citations

n

. The nonadiabatic lifetimes are found to generally exceed the radiative Rydberg-atom lifetimes. We observe and explain a trend of the lifetimes as a function of $\ensuremath{\nu}$ and

n

, and attribute irregularities to quantum interference arising from a shallow potential well in an inner potential surface. Our results will be useful for future spectroscopic studies of RAIMs.