Detection of far-infrared radiation using Rydberg atoms

A new method for detecting far-infrared radiation is demonstrated. The far-infrared radiation induces transitions between highly excited (Rydberg) levels of Na. These transitions can be detected by selective field ionization. The method is capable of providing narrow-band detection with essentially...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Applied physics letters 1979-09, Vol.35 (5), p.382-384
Main Authors: Ducas, Theodore W., Spencer, William P., Vaidyanathan, A. Ganesh, Hamilton, William H., Kleppner, Daniel
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:A new method for detecting far-infrared radiation is demonstrated. The far-infrared radiation induces transitions between highly excited (Rydberg) levels of Na. These transitions can be detected by selective field ionization. The method is capable of providing narrow-band detection with essentially continuous tuning throughout the infrared and far-infrared range. We have detected radiation from a laser source at 496 and 118 μ with a 1-MHz bandwidth. A noise equivalent power of 5×10−15 W/Hz1/2 was measured at 496 μ.
ISSN:0003-6951
1077-3118
DOI:10.1063/1.91132