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Determination of the Rb ng-series quantum defect by electric-field-induced resonant energy transfer between cold Rydberg atoms

K. Afrousheh·P. Bohlouli-Zanjani·J. A. Petrus·J. D. D. Martin
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Abstract

Resonant energy transfer between cold Rydberg atoms was used to determine Rydberg atom energy levels, at precisions approaching those obtainable in microwave spectroscopy. Laser cooled Rb atoms from a magneto-optical trap were optically excited to 32d Rydberg states. The two-atom process 32d(j=5/2) + 32d(j=5/2) -> 34p(j=3/2) + 30g is resonant at an electric field of approximately 0.3 V/cm. This process is driven by the electric dipole-dipole interaction, which is allowed due to the partial f character that the g state acquires in an electric field. The experimentally observed resonant field, together with the Stark map calculation is used to make a determination of the Rb ng-series quantum defect: delta_g (n=30) = 0.00405(6).

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K. Afrousheh, P. Bohlouli-Zanjani, J. A. Petrus, J. D. D. Martin. 2006-12-19. Determination of the Rb ng-series quantum defect by electric-field-induced resonant energy transfer between cold Rydberg atoms. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.74.062712

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