Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

arXiv:physics/0007004

Spectroscopic electric-field measurement in laser-excited plasmas

Dutta, S. K., D. Feldbaum, Georg A. Raithel

Published Jul 4, 2000• 2 citations
arXivHTMLPDF

Abstract

The electric field in mm-sized clouds of cold Rb^+-ions is measured using the Stark effect of Rydberg atoms embedded in the ion clouds. The ion clouds are produced by UV photoionization of laser-cooled rubidium atoms in a magneto-optic trap. In very dense ion clouds, the Rydberg atom excitation spectra reflect the presence of a neutral plasma core and a positively charged ion shell.

DOI
10.48550/arxiv.physics/0007004

Related papers

Coulomb Expansion of Laser-Excited Ion Plasmas

D. Feldbaum, Natalya V. Morrow, S. K. Dutta +1 more

We determine the electric field in mm-sized clouds of cold $\mathrm{R}{\mathrm{b}}^{\mathrm{+}}$ ions, produced by photoionization of laser-cooled $^{\mathrm{87}}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{b}$ atoms in a magneto-optical trap, using the Stark effect of embedded Rydberg atoms. The dependence of the electric field on the time delay between the ion plasma production and the probe of the electric field reflects the Coulomb expansion of the plasma. Our experiments and models show expansion times $<1\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$.

Physical Review Letters•Oct 8, 2002•35 citations

Rydberg spectroscopy of a Rb MOT in the presence of applied or ion created electric fields

Matthieu Viteau, J. Radogostowicz, Mark G. Bason +4 more

Rydberg spectroscopy of rubidium cold atoms trapped in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) was performed in a quartz cell. When electric fields acting on the atoms generated by a plate external to the cell were continuously applied, electric charges on the cell walls were created, as monitored on the Rydberg spectra. Avoiding accumulation of the charges and realizing good control over the applied electric field was instead obtained when the fields were applied only for a short time, typically a few microseconds. In a two-photon excitation via the 62P state to the Rydberg state, the laser resonant with the 52S-62P transition photoionizes the excited state. The photoionization-created ions produce an internal electric field which deforms the excitation spectra, as monitored on the Autler-Townes absorption spectra.

Optics Express•Mar 17, 2011•25 citations

HIGH RESOLUTION MICROWAVE SPECTROSCOPY OF ULTRA COLD RYDBERG ATOMS AS A PROBE OF ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS

Parisa Bohlouli-Zanjani

In highly excited Rydberg atoms, the excited electron is in a large, loosely bound orbit. Hence, in contrast with the ground states, the Rydberg states are very sensitive to external electric field and can be ionized in rather weak fields. The low ionization threshold of Rydberg states results in effective state-specific detection by the selective field ionization technique. \t In this thesis, high-resolution spectroscopy of Rydberg states of Rubidium using millimeter wave transitions and selective field ionization has been used as a probe of external electric and magnetic fields. Laser cooling and trapping techniques in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are employed to have a high density and narrow velocity distribution for the atomic sample. In this work the magnetic field inhomogeneity inherent in a MOT is minimized and the stray electric field present at the trap region is compensated in order to have resolved spectra. The Stark line broadening of the spectra obtained in this work may be used to determine the electric field distribution in an expanding ultra-cold neutral plasma.

•Jan 1, 2003•2 citations

Rydberg atoms for precision measurement in science and technology

Georg A. Raithel, Ryan Cardman, Alisher Duspayev

Rydberg atoms are highly excited atoms that have large sensitivities to external fields, lending these atoms extraordinary characteristics for fundamental high-precision spectroscopy as well as for electromagnetic-field sensing applications. Recent results on high-precision spectroscopy with cold Rydberg atoms in modulated optical lattices are presented. The discussed approach can serve as a platform for fundamental-physics studies, which include a model-insensitive measurement of the Rydberg constant and a search for wave-like dark matter. As an example for the utility of Rydberg atoms in field sensing applications, an experiment is presented in which the linear Stark effect of cold Rydberg atoms is employed to measure electric fields in cold ion clouds, demonstrating that Rydberg laser spectroscopy allows electrode-free, non-invasive plasma diagnostics.

Optical and Quantum Sensing and Precision Metrology II•Mar 8, 2023•1 citation

Probing the fields in an ultracold plasma by microwave spectroscopy

Hyunwook Park, Raheel Ali, Thomas F. Gallagher

By observing the Stark shift of the Rb $42{s}_{1/2}\ensuremath{-}42{p}_{1/2}$ microwave transition we have measured the electric fields in an ultracold plasma formed by photoionizing Rb atoms in a magneto-optical trap. Using this approach and a model of the electron charge distribution we have been able to measure both the microscopic fields due to nearest-neighbor ions and the macroscopic fields due to the charge imbalance in the plasma.

Physical Review A•Aug 26, 2010•15 citations

Electric Field Analysis in a Cold-Ion Source Using Stark Spectroscopy of Rydberg Atoms

Alisher Duspayev, Georg A. Raithel

Cold-atom-based ion sources (CABIS) are a timely example of how laser cooling and trapping can be used in practical applications, such as nanofabrication and microscopy. Unfortunately, Coulomb repulsion between ions can significantly deteriorate CABIS performance. The authors demonstrate that embedded Rydberg atoms can be used for noninvasive, near-real-time measurement of the electric fields between ions in CABIS, and thereby to control Coulomb-induced degradation via feedback. The spectra of different Rydberg states reveal which states are suitable for low- and high-field monitoring, and this work also sheds light on many-body interactions between ultracold ions and neutral atoms.

arXiv:2303.10044•Physical Review Applied•Apr 18, 2023•10 citations
The electric field in mm-sized clouds of cold Rb^+-ions is measured using the Stark effect of Rydberg atoms embedded in the ion clouds. The ion clouds are produced by UV photoionization of laser-cooled rubidium atoms in a magneto-optic trap. In very dense ion clouds, the Rydberg atom excitation spectra reflect the presence of a neutral plasma core and a positively charged ion shell.
We determine the electric field in mm-sized clouds of cold Rb+\mathrm{R}{\mathrm{b}}^{\mathrm{+}}Rb+ ions, produced by photoionization of laser-cooled 87Rb^{\mathrm{87}}\mathrm{R}\mathrm{b}87Rb atoms in a magneto-optical trap, using the Stark effect of embedded Rydberg atoms. The dependence of the electric field on the time delay between the ion plasma production and the probe of the electric field reflects the Coulomb expansion of the plasma. Our experiments and models show expansion times $<1\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s}$.
Rydberg spectroscopy of rubidium cold atoms trapped in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) was performed in a quartz cell. When electric fields acting on the atoms generated by a plate external to the cell were continuously applied, electric charges on the cell walls were created, as monitored on the Rydberg spectra. Avoiding accumulation of the charges and realizing good control over the applied electric field was instead obtained when the fields were applied only for a short time, typically a few microseconds. In a two-photon excitation via the 62P state to the Rydberg state, the laser resonant with the 52S-62P transition photoionizes the excited state. The photoionization-created ions produce an internal electric field which deforms the excitation spectra, as monitored on the Autler-Townes absorption spectra.
In highly excited Rydberg atoms, the excited electron is in a large, loosely bound orbit. Hence, in contrast with the ground states, the Rydberg states are very sensitive to external electric field and can be ionized in rather weak fields. The low ionization threshold of Rydberg states results in effective state-specific detection by the selective field ionization technique. \t In this thesis, high-resolution spectroscopy of Rydberg states of Rubidium using millimeter wave transitions and selective field ionization has been used as a probe of external electric and magnetic fields. Laser cooling and trapping techniques in a magneto-optical trap (MOT) are employed to have a high density and narrow velocity distribution for the atomic sample. In this work the magnetic field inhomogeneity inherent in a MOT is minimized and the stray electric field present at the trap region is compensated in order to have resolved spectra. The Stark line broadening of the spectra obtained in this work may be used to determine the electric field distribution in an expanding ultra-cold neutral plasma.
Rydberg atoms are highly excited atoms that have large sensitivities to external fields, lending these atoms extraordinary characteristics for fundamental high-precision spectroscopy as well as for electromagnetic-field sensing applications. Recent results on high-precision spectroscopy with cold Rydberg atoms in modulated optical lattices are presented. The discussed approach can serve as a platform for fundamental-physics studies, which include a model-insensitive measurement of the Rydberg constant and a search for wave-like dark matter. As an example for the utility of Rydberg atoms in field sensing applications, an experiment is presented in which the linear Stark effect of cold Rydberg atoms is employed to measure electric fields in cold ion clouds, demonstrating that Rydberg laser spectroscopy allows electrode-free, non-invasive plasma diagnostics.
Cold-atom-based ion sources (CABIS) are a timely example of how laser cooling and trapping can be used in practical applications, such as nanofabrication and microscopy. Unfortunately, Coulomb repulsion between ions can significantly deteriorate CABIS performance. The authors demonstrate that embedded Rydberg atoms can be used for noninvasive, near-real-time measurement of the electric fields between ions in CABIS, and thereby to control Coulomb-induced degradation via feedback. The spectra of different Rydberg states reveal which states are suitable for low- and high-field monitoring, and this work also sheds light on many-body interactions between ultracold ions and neutral atoms.