Synchronization of Raman transitions in highly excited hydrogen atoms: A new proposal for measuring the Rydberg constant

We present an analysis of the Raman interaction between a Rydberg atom and ultrashort light pulses. An application of the synchronization of quantum transitions to a simple atomic system (the hydrogen atom) is demonstrated. This is a direct way of measuring times and frequencies of microwave transitions between the high-lying atomic states using ultrashort light pulses. The results and analysis represent a new method for measuring the Rydberg constant.