Dynamics of Low-Density Ultracold Rydberg Gases

Population dynamics in weakly-excited clouds of ultracold \(^{87}\)Rb Rydberg atoms were studied by means of trap loss, fluorescence detection, and state dependent stimulated emission. Rydberg atoms were excited to various nl Rydberg states via continuous two-photon excitation from a magneto-optical...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:arXiv.org 2008-03
Main Authors: Day, J O, Brekke, E, Walker, T G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Blackbody
Emission
Fluorescence
Ionization
Rydberg states
Stimulated emission
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Population dynamics in weakly-excited clouds of ultracold \(^{87}\)Rb Rydberg atoms were studied by means of trap loss, fluorescence detection, and state dependent stimulated emission. Rydberg atoms were excited to various nl Rydberg states via continuous two-photon excitation from a magneto-optical trap. A stimulated emission probe laser was then used to bring the Rydberg atoms down to the 6P\(_{3/2}\) state, allowing state-dependent detection of the Rydberg atoms. Measurements of trap loss and fluorescent emission reveal information about the evolution of the Rydberg populations. In particular, population in the initial Rydberg state quickly transfers to other Rydberg states by a non-collisional mechanism, likely superradiant emission. The trap-loss measurements are consistent with black-body ionization as the dominant loss mechanism.
ISSN:2331-8422
DOI:10.48550/arxiv.0803.1132