Demonstration of three-dimensional electrostatic trapping of state-selected Rydberg atoms

A three-dimensional trap for Rydberg atoms in selected Stark states has been realized experimentally. H atoms seeded in a supersonic expansion of Ar are excited to the low-field seeking n=30, k=25, |m|=0, 2 Rydberg-Stark states, decelerated from a mean initial velocity of 665 m/s to zero velocity in the laboratory frame and loaded into a three-dimensional electrostatic trap. The motion of the cold Rydberg atom cloud in the trap and the decay of the trapped atoms have been studied by pulsed electric field ionization and imaging techniques.     

超冷铯(60D5/2)2 Rydberg分子的双色光缔合光谱

本文主要从理论和实验上研究超冷铯（60D_5/2）₂ Rydberg分子的双色光缔合光谱.数值计算了铯60D_5/2 Rydberg原子对态的长程电多极相互作用和（60D_5/2）₂ Rydberg分子的绝热势能曲线,获得了（60D_5/2）₂ Rydberg分子的势阱深度和平衡间距.实验上利用双色光缔合超冷铯原子的方法制备了（60D_5/2）₂ Rydberg分子.其中,第一色激光（pulse-A）双光子共振激发种子Rydberg原子A;第二色激光（pulse-B,失谐于分子的束缚能）共振激发第二个Rydberg原子B,原子A与B由分子势阱束缚形成超冷（60D_5/2）₂ Rydberg分子.由脉冲场电离探测技术获得Rydberg分子的光缔合光谱,测量的Rydberg分子的势阱深度与理论计算结果相一致.     

Nondestructive Rydberg atom counting with mesoscopic fields in a cavity

We present an efficient, state-selective, nondemolition atom-counting procedure based on the dispersive interaction of a sample of circular Rydberg atoms with a mesoscopic field contained in a high-quality superconducting cavity. The state-dependent atomic index of refraction, proportional to the atom number, shifts the classical field phase. A homodyne procedure translates the information from the phase to the intensity. The final field intensity is readout by a mesoscopic atomic sample. This method opens promising routes for quantum information processing and nonclassical state generation with Rydberg atoms.     

Experimental Research of Spontaneous Evolution from Ultracold Rydberg Atoms to Plasma

The spontaneous evolution from ultracold Rydberg atoms to plasma is investigated in a caesium MOT by using the method of field ionization. The plasma transferred from atoms in different Rydberg states （n = 22-32） are obtained experimentally. Dependence of the threshold time of evolving to plasma and the threshold number of initial Rydberg atoms on the principal quantum number of initial Rydberg states is studied. The experimental results are in agreement with hot-cold Rydberg-Rydberg atom collision ionization theory.     

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.     

A Time-Dependent Approach to High-Resolution Photoabsorption Spectrum of Rydberg Atoms in Magnetic Fields

A robust time-dependent approach to the high-resolution photoabsorption spectrum of Rydberg atoms in magnetic fields is presented. Traditionally we have to numerically diagonalize a huge matrix to solve the eigen-problem and then to obtain the spectral information. This matrix operation requires high-speed computers with large memories. Alternatively we present a unitary but very easily parallelized time-evolution method in an inexpensive way, which is very accurate and stable even in long-time scaie evolution. With this method, we perform the spectral caiculation of hydrogen atom in magnetic field, which agrees well with the experimentai observation. It can be extended to study the dynamics of Rydberg atoms in more complicated cases such as in combined electric and magnetic fields.     

弱射频场中Rydberg原子的电磁感应透明

在铯原子室温蒸气池中研究了弱射频场中Rydberg原子阶梯型三能级系统的电磁感应透明(EIT)效应.铯原子基态6S_(1/2)、第一激发态6P_(3/2)和Rydberg 48D_(5/2)态形成阶梯型三能级系统,探测光共振作用于6S_(1/2)(F=4)→6P_(3/2)(F′=5)的跃迁,耦合光在Rydberg跃迁线6P_(3/2)(F′=5)→48D_(5/2)附近扫描,形成Rydberg原子EIT.当对铯原子施加一个80 MHz的弱射频电场时,48D_(5/2)Rydberg原子的EIT光谱发生Stark频移和分裂,同时产生由射频场调制Rydberg能级的偶数级边带,测量结果与Floquet理论模拟的结果相符合.同时,改变弱射频电场的频率研究了铯Rydberg能级的自电离效应对Rydberg原子Stark谱的影响,据此,我们提出将电极板置于铯原子蒸气池内的方案以减少自电离效应的影响.在弱射频Stark谱中,mj=5/2的Stark谱与mj=1/2,3/2的二级边带形成多个能级交叉,这些能级交叉点提供了一种基于原子的精确校准射频电场的新方法.     

超冷里德堡原子的产生以及探测

利用激光冷却与俘获技术获得冷原子,由双光子激发产生超冷里德堡原子,利用场电离法得到了里德堡原子ns和nd态的离子谱图;再将激光波长固定在6p3/2-34d态的共振跃迁线上,得到了离子和里德堡原子的TOF(Time of Flight)图,并对实验结果做了分析.     

Continuous wave field ionization laser spectroscopy

A new technique is described which allows Doppler-free, isotope-selective excitation of atoms by continuous wave laser radiation and continuous ionization of the atoms by an electric field. The atoms are excited to high Rydberg states in an electric-field-free region of a collimated atomic beam. Because the lifetimes of Rydberg atoms are long they can reach a spatially separated region of the atomic beam where they are ionized by a continuous electric field with a probability of unity. In the case of lithium we obtained a 10³ times larger ion signal by field ionization of Rydberg atoms than by direct photoionization from low excited states.     

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.     

铯47D精细能级超冷里德堡原子自由演化的动力学研究

用连续窄线宽激光器将超冷铯里德堡原子分别激发到47D_3/2, 47D_5/2精细态, 观察了处于里德堡精细态的铯原子向超冷铯等离子体自由演化的过程, 详细对比了不同精细态的铯里德堡原子预电离时间、电离速率以及等离子体的转化效率. 将里德堡原子快速转化为等离子体的过程解释为局域势阱内由预电离产生的电子与里德堡原子的快速碰撞导致的雪崩电离.     

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.     

Rydberg原子的微波电磁感应透明-Autler-Townes光谱

主要研究了室温下微波场缀饰的铯Rydberg原子的电磁感应透明-Autler-Townes(EIT-AT)光谱.首先,以铯原子6S_(1/2)→6P_(3/2)→50S_(1/2)形成阶梯型三能级系统,利用强耦合光作用于6P_(3/2)→50S_(1/2)的Rydberg跃迁,弱探测光耦合基态跃迁6S_(1/2)→6P_(3/2)并探测由耦合光形成的电磁感应透明(EIT)效应.然后,以频率为30.582 GHz的微波电场耦合相邻的Rydberg能级50S_(1/2)→50P_(1/2)产生微波AT分裂.利用Rydberg EIT探测微波耦合相邻Rydberg能级产生的AT分裂,形成EIT-AT光谱,进而实现微波电场的测量.当微波场的强度增加到一定值时,EIT-AT光谱表现为多峰光谱结构.分析EIT-AT多峰光谱的成因,发现这主要是由场的不均匀性导致的,一定的EIT-AT光谱特征对应于特定的非均匀场分布.研究表明,利用Rydberg EIT-AT光谱可以实现微波电场的测量,利用其光谱特征可实现微波场的实时监测,进而提出了一种提高微波场空间分辨率的测量方法.     

基于里德堡原子的电场测量

里德堡原子具有大的极化率、低的场电离阈值和大的电偶极矩,对外部电磁场十分敏感,可以用来测量电场强度特别是微波电场的强度. 利用里德堡原子的量子干涉效应(电磁诱导透明和Autler-Townes效应)测量微波电场强度的灵敏度远高于传统采用偶极天线测量微波电场的灵敏度. 此外,里德堡原子电场计 可以溯源到标准物理量,不需要额外校准; 采用玻璃探头,对待测电场干扰少; 灵敏度也不依赖于探头的物理尺寸. 同时,该电场计还可以实现对微波电场的偏振方向的测量, 实现亚波长和近场区域电场成像与测量. 通过选择不同的里德堡能级,可以实现1-500 GHz超宽频段范围内微波电场强度的测量. 主要综述基于里德堡原子的电场精密测量研究, 详细介绍了里德堡原子电场计的原理与实验进展, 并简单讨论了其发展方向.     

Resonant scattering of three-level Rydberg atoms in a microwave field

We examine the theory of potential scattering of Rydberg atoms in a microwave field. The model of a three-level atom is employed to calculate the radiative force emerging in the resonant coherent interaction with the microwave field for the case of a two-photon resonance and high intensities, using the method of quasienergies of the system consisting of the atom and the field. We determine the probabilities of Landau-Zener transitions in the spatial regions where under two-photon resonance conditions the quasienergies of the atoms approach one another by a small quantity. We also study the dynamics of the variation of the spatial profile of a beam of Rydberg atoms caused by resonant scattering. Finally, we give the results of the first experimental observation of the variation of the transverse beam profile when Rydberg atoms pass through a nonuniform microwave field formed in a rectangular waveguide and in resonance with the two-photon 36P–37P transition. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 111, 796–815 (March 1997)     

Inelastic electron collisions with Rydberg atoms

The standard classical method of computer simulation is used for evaluation of the inelastic cross section in electron collisions with a highly excited (Rydberg) atom. In the course of collision, the incident and bound electrons move along classical trajectories in the Coulomb field of the nucleus, and the scattering parameters are averaged over many initial conditions. The reduced ionization cross section of a Rydberg atom by electron impact approximately corresponds to that of atoms in the ground states with valence s-electrons and coincides with the results of the previous Monte Carlo calculations. The cross section of an atom transition between Rydberg atom states as a result of electron impact is used for finding the stepwise ionization rate constant of atoms in collisions with electrons or the rate constant of three-body electron-ion recombination in a dense ionized gas because these processes are determined by kinetics of highly excited atom states. Surprisingly, the low-temperature limit of electron temperatures is realized when the electron thermal energy is lower than the atom ionization potential by about three orders of magnitude, as follows from the kinetics of excited atom states. The article is published in the original.     

基于Rydberg原子天线的太赫兹测量

Rydberg原子在微波和太赫兹频段具有极大的电偶极矩,利用量子干涉效应可实现对该频段电磁波场强的高灵敏探测,理论上灵敏度可达到远高于现有探测技术的水平.基于Rydberg原子量子效应的电磁场探测及精密测量技术在太赫兹的场强和功率计量、太赫兹通信和太赫兹成像等方面有着巨大的应用前景.本文回顾了基于Rydberg原子量子干涉效应实现电磁波电场自校准和可溯源测量的基本理论和实验技术,详细介绍了基于Rydberg原子的高灵敏太赫兹场强测量、太赫兹近场高速成像和太赫兹数字通信的基本原理和技术方案.最后简单介绍了本研究团队正在开展的基于Rydberg原子的太赫兹探测工作.     

Trapping and coherent manipulation of a Rydberg atom on a microfabricated device: a proposal

We propose to apply atom-chip techniques to the trapping of a single atom in a circular Rydberg state. The small size of microfabricated structures will allow for trap geometries with microwave cut-off frequencies high enough to inhibit the spontaneous emission of the Rydberg atom, paving the way to complete control of both external and internal degrees of freedom over very long times. Trapping is achieved using carefully designed electric fields, created by a simple pattern of electrodes. We show that it is possible to excite, and then trap, one and only one Rydberg atom from a cloud of ground state atoms confined on a magnetic atom chip, itself integrated with the Rydberg trap. Distinct internal states of the atom are simultaneously trapped, providing us with a two-level system extremely attractive for atom-surface and atom-atom interaction studies. We describe a method for reducing by three orders of magnitude dephasing due to Stark shifts, induced by the trapping field, of the internal transition frequency. This allows for, in combination with spin-echo techniques, maintenance of an internal coherence over times in the second range. This method operates via a controlled light shift rendering the two internal states’ Stark shifts almost identical. We thoroughly identify and account for sources of imperfection in order to verify at each step the realism of our proposal.     

Electric-field induced dipole blockade with Rydberg atoms

High resolution laser Stark excitation of np (60相似文献   

Precise measurement of a weak radio frequency electric field using a resonant atomic probe

We present a precise measurement of a weak radio frequency electric field with a frequency of ■3 GHz employing a resonant atomic probe that is constituted with a Rydberg cascade three-level atom, including a cesium ground state |6S(1/2)〉,an excited state |6P(3/2)〉, and Rydberg state |nD(5/2)〉. Two radio frequency(RF) electric fields, noted as local and signal fields, couple the nearby Rydberg transition. The two-photon resonant Rydberg electromagnetically induced transparency(Rydberg-EIT) is employed to directly read out the weak signal field having hundreds of k Hz difference between the local and signal fields that is encoded in the resonant microwave-dressed Rydberg atoms. The minimum detectable signal fields of ESmin= 1.36 ± 0.04 mV/m for 2.18 GHz coupling |68D(5/2)〉→ |69P(3/2)〉 transition and 1.33 ± 0.02 mV/m for 1.32 GHz coupling |80D(5/2)〉→ |81P(3/2)〉 transition are obtained, respectively. The bandwidth dependence is also investigated by varying the signal field frequency and corresponding -3 dB bandwidth of 3 MHz is attained. This method can be employed to perform a rapid and precise measurement of the weak electric field, which is important for the atom-based microwave metrology.