Streak camera operating in the mid infrared

An atomic streak camera has been constructed that operates from the near to the far infrared. The photocathode used in conventional streak cameras for the conversion of photons to electrons has been replaced by gas-phase atoms in a Rydberg state. The low binding energy of the electron in a Rydberg atom combined with the large photoionization cross section of a Rydberg atom makes Rydberg atoms suitable for use in an infrared streak camera. Operation of the streak camera is demonstrated at 2.6 microm, well beyond the spectral range of any conventional streak camera.     

Matter-wave interferometry with atoms in high Rydberg states

Matter-wave interferometry has been performed with helium atoms in high Rydberg states. In the experiments the atoms were prepared in coherent superpositions of Rydberg states with different electric dipole moments. Upon the application of an inhomogeneous electric field, the different forces on these internal state components resulted in the generation of coherent superpositions of momentum states. Using a sequence of microwave and electric field gradient pulses the internal Rydberg states were entangled with the momentum states associated with the external motion of these matter waves. Under these conditions matter-wave interference was observed by monitoring the populations of the Rydberg states as the magnitudes and durations of the pulsed electric field gradients were adjusted. The results of the experiments have been compared to, and are in excellent quantitative agreement with, matter-wave interference patterns calculated for the corresponding pulse sequences. For the Rydberg states used, the spatial extent of the Rydberg electron wavefunction was ～320?nm. Matter-wave interferometry with such giant atoms is of interest in the exploration of the boundary between quantum and classical mechanics. The results presented also open new possibilities for measurements of the acceleration of Rydberg positronium or antihydrogen atoms in the Earth's gravitational field.     

High-precision three-dimensional Rydberg atom localization in a four-level atomic system

Rydberg atoms have been widely investigated due to their large size, long radiative lifetime, huge polarizability and strong dipole-dipole interactions. The position information of Rydberg atoms provides more possibilities for quantum optics research, which can be obtained under the localization method. We study the behavior of three-dimensional(3 D)Rydberg atom localization in a four-level configuration with the measurement of the spatial optical absorption. The atomic localization precision depends strongly on the detuning and Rabi frequency of the involved laser fields. A 100% probability of finding the Rydberg atom at a specific 3 D position is achieved with precision of ～0.031λ. This work demonstrates the possibility for achieving the 3 D atom localization of the Rydberg atom in the experiment.     

一种高分辨里德堡原子外场光谱实验方法

介绍一种用于里德堡原子外场效应研究的实验方法，用该方法获得了Ｓｅ原子里德堡态各种外场效应研究的初步结果，显示了此方法用于外场效应的研究的有效性。     

The perfluoro effect on the molecular Rydberg states of bromo- and iodoethylene

In comparing the vacuum ultraviolet spectra of bromo- and iodoethylene with the spectra of their perfluoro analogs, it is noted that many of the absorptions are shifted in energy. Fluorine substitution has been found to stabilize the σ systems and increase the term values of (π, ns) Rydberg transitions, but to have little effect on π ionization potentials or p Rydberg term values. However, in these compounds, there are two (π, np) Rydberg series assigned, and the term values of one series associated with in-plane p Rydberg orbitals, showed a marked increase with fluorination. Additional substituent effects on halogen-π system interaction parameters have also been observed and are discussed.     

Semiclassical calculation of ionisation rate for Rydberg helium atoms in an electric field

The ionisation of Rydberg helium atoms in an electric field above the classical ionisation threshold has been examined using the semiclassical method, with particular emphasis on discussing the influence of the core scattering on the escape dynamics of electrons. The results show that the Rydberg helium atoms ionise by emitting a train of electron pulses. Unlike the case of the ionisation of Rydberg hydrogen atom in parallel electric and magnetic fields, where the pulses of the electron are caused by the external magnetic field, the pulse trains for Rydberg helium atoms are created through core scattering. Each peak in the ionisation rate corresponds to the contribution of one core-scattered combination trajectory. This fact further illustrates that the ionic core scattering leads to the chaotic property of the Rydberg helium atom in external fields. Our studies provide a simple explanation for the escape dynamics in the ionisation of nonhydrogenic atoms in external fields.     

Driving Rydberg-Rydberg transitions from a coplanar microwave waveguide

The coherent interaction between ensembles of helium Rydberg atoms and microwave fields in the vicinity of a solid-state coplanar waveguide is reported. Rydberg-Rydberg transitions, at frequencies between 25 and 38 GHz, have been studied for states with principal quantum numbers in the range 30-35 by selective electric-field ionization. An experimental apparatus cooled to 100 K was used to reduce effects of blackbody radiation. Inhomogeneous, stray electric fields emanating from the surface of the waveguide have been characterized in frequency- and time-resolved measurements and coherence times of the Rydberg atoms on the order of 250 ns have been determined. These results represent a key element in the development of an experimental architecture to interface Rydberg atoms with solid-state devices.     

稀薄里德伯原子气体中的两体纠缠

量子纠缠是量子信息处理和量子计算中不可或缺的物理资源,制备稳定可操控的量子纠缠是研究的热点之一.里德伯原子具有不同于普通中性原子的特点,长寿命和原子之间强烈的偶极相互作用,使得它成为量子信息处理和量子计算的最优候选者.本文在稀薄里德伯原子气体中,构建了空间四面体排布的里德伯原子模型(空间等距的四个原子模型),通过数值求解主方程来研究两体纠缠和里德伯激发的稳态和瞬态动力学性质,发现偶极阻塞机制下的量子纠缠最大,其他满足反偶极阻塞条件的高阶激发引起的纠缠较小,进而从理论上分析了这两种机制下量子纠缠的物理实质.     

Sc原子高激发态理论研究

利用相对论性多通道量子亏损理论计算了Sc的原子里德堡态能级 .计算结果显示 ,由于通道间的相互作用 ,使得光谱非常复杂 ,这与实验测量结果是一致的. The energy levels of Rydberg series of Sc atom have been calculated by Relativistic Multichannel Theory (RMCT). The calculations reveal that the Rydberg spectra are complex due to the channel interactions, which is consistent with the experimental spectra.     

Rydberg states in the condensed phase studied by fluorescence depletion spectroscopy

Higher Rydberg states of NO trapped in rare gas matrices have been studied by inducing Rydberg-Rydberg transitions from the lowest Rydberg state and detecting its fluorescence depletion. This technique unravels Rydberg states, which cannot be accessed by ground state absorption. However, no clear cut Rydberg series show up. The data show a compression of the n-(n + 1) splittings between Rydberg states, as well as of the splittings. The results are rationalised in terms of the quantum defect model and the lack of extended Rydberg series is due to the compression of high-n Rydberg states in a tiny energy region below the ionisation potential. Finally, fluorescence depletion data of NO trapped in amorphous sites (the so-called red sites) of solid Ar can be interpreted in terms of the gas phase NO-Ar van der Waals data. A general discussion on the fate of Rydberg states in van der Waals complexes, in liquids, and in solids is presented in an attempt to relate the data in these different media. Received 28 July 1999 and Received in final form 8 November 1999     

The Rydberg spectroscopy of methyl chloride

The absorption spectrum of methyl chloride has been studied in the energy region from 68 600 to 94 760 cm^?1. With the exception of a valence-shell transition, all transitions were interpreted as molecular Rydberg transitions. These assignments were made utilizing the Rydberg formula. The similarity of the vibrational fine structures observed in the photo-electron spectrum of methyl chloride and its VUV spectroscopy is shown to further support the Rydberg assignments.     

离子探测法在钠分子光谱研究中的应用

本文首次实现了钠分子体系中离子探测脉冲激光光谱,研究了钠分子电离限附近的高里德堡态,获得了高灵敏度和高增益的光谱,拓宽了分子光谱研究领域。本     

Quantum state swap for two trapped Rydberg atoms

The quantum swap gate is one of the most useful gates for quantum computation. Two-qubit entanglement and a controlled-NOT quantum gate in a neutral Rydberg atom system have been achieved in recent experiments. It is therefore very interesting to propose a scheme here for swapping a quantum state between two trapped neutral atoms via the Rydberg blockade mechanism. The atoms interact with a sequence of laser pulses without individual addressing. The errors of the swap gate due to imprecision of pulse length, finite Rydberg interaction, and atomic spontaneous emission are discussed.     

囚禁于巴基球内的钠原子里德堡特性

通过非线性变换和特殊设计结点的B样条函数方法研究计算了囚禁于巴基球内的钠原子的里德堡能级结构和振子强度.计算结果表明,巴基球等效势阱深度可以有选择的影响和改变里德堡原子的特性.     

High-angular-momentum states in cold Rydberg gases

Cold, dense Rydberg gases produced in a cold-atom trap are investigated using spectroscopic methods and time-resolved electron counting. Optical excitation on the discrete Rydberg resonances reveals long-lasting electron emission from the Rydberg gas ( >20 ms). Our observations are explained by lm-mixing collisions between Rydberg atoms and slow electrons that lead to the population of long-lived high-angular-momentum Rydberg states. These atoms thermally ionize slowly and with large probabilities.     

Rotational isomerism in aldehydes

A study is made of the Rydberg levels in CH₂ and CH₃ which are associated with the outer electron in a carbon 3d-orbital. A preliminary discussion of some Rydberg states in the lithium atom showed that penetration and exchange effects between the Rydberg orbital and the core were of comparable magnitude, and strongly dependent on the correct form of the Rydberg orbital wave function in the region where this overlaps the core. In the cases of CH₃ and CH₂ some conclusions of G. Herzberg about the symmetry of excited states where a 3d-orbital is involved have been confirmed, and certain other ionization potentials estimated. In CH₂ spin-orbit forces were included, but comparison with experiment is limited. The need to orthogonalize the Rydberg orbital to any core orbitals of similar overall symmetry, and to allow mixing with other orbitals (e.g. carbon 3s with carbon 3d₀) is stressed. One of the chief causes of error at present is our ignorance about the degree of validity of Koopman's theorem for situations of this kind. It is important to know to what extent the core changes its charge distribution after the ejection of the Rydberg electron.     

长程铯里德堡分子的势能曲线

本文介绍了半经典近似下的低能电子-原子散射理论, 引入贋势描述里德堡电子与基态原子的相互作用, 数值计算了铯原子nS (n=30-60)里德堡态与6S基态原子形成的长程里德堡分子的势能曲线. 并对最外层势阱进行分析, 获得长程里德堡分子的势阱深度、平衡距离与主量子数n的关系. 为实验制备里德堡分子并进一步分析其性质提供理论依据. 里德堡分子对外界非常敏感, 可用于微弱信号的检测.     

囚禁于巴基球内的原子的里德堡特性

通过非线性变换和特殊设计结点的B样条函数研究计算了囚禁于巴基球内的氢原子里德堡能级结构和振子强度 .结果表明 ,巴基球等效势阱深度可以有选择的影响和改变里德堡原子的特性 ;囚禁原子拥有很多自由原子所没有的奇特性质. Rydberg energy levels and oscillator strength of endohedrally confined H atom have been calculated by using a nonlinear algebraic mapping technique and B-spline method.The boundary conditions are conveniently satisfied with a specially designing knot sequence.Our results show that endohedral can selectively alter the properties and energy levels of Rydberg atoms, and such atoms possess some properties and behaviours which are not previously met or studied in free systems.     

Coherent excitation of Rydberg atoms in an ultracold gas

We demonstrate two schemes for the coherent excitation of Rydberg atoms in an ultracold gas of rubidium atoms employing the three-level ladder system 5S_1/2-5P_3/2-n?_j. In the first approach rapid adiabatic passage with pulsed laser fields yields Rydberg excitation probabilities of 90% in the center of the laser focus. In a second experiment two-photon Rydberg excitation with continuous-wave fields is applied which results in Rabi oscillations between the ground and Rydberg state. The experiments represent a prerequisite for the control of interactions in ultracold Rydberg gases and the application of ultracold Rydberg gases for quantum information processing.     

Processes of decay of Rydberg plasma

The lifetime of a molecule consisting of two Rydberg atoms with respect to electron release is determined from computer simulation of two classical electrons in the field of Coulomb centers. From this, the cross section of the Penning process of collision of two Rydberg atoms with electron release is obtained. The rate constant for ionization of Rydberg atoms is evaluated for the Rydberg plasma within the Thomson model. On the basis of these processes, the kinetics is analyzed for the decay of a Rydberg plasma. Comparison with experimental data shows that these decay processes are responsible for the first stage of the decay of a magnetized and nonmagnetized Rydberg plasma located in a magnetic superconducting trap, whereas other processes become important at a subsequent stage of the plasma evolution. This article was submitted by the authors in English.