2008/03/07 by J. O. Day, E. Brekke, Erik Brekke +2
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Atomic physics #Cold Atom Physics and Bose-Einstein Condensates #Excited state #Ion #Ionization #Laser #Magneto-optical trap #Optics #Physics #Population #Quantum Information and Cryptography #Quantum optics and atomic interactions #Rydberg atom #Rydberg formula #Rydberg matter #Rydberg state #quant-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physreva.77.052712
published as Phys. Rev. A 77, 052712 (2008) · 9 pages, 7 figures
arxiv created 2008/03/07 · openalex publication_date 2008/05/23 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05
Population dynamics in weakly excited clouds of ultracold 87Rb 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 6P3/2 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 noncollisional mechanism, likely superradiant emission. The trap-loss measurements are consistent with black-body ionization as the dominant loss mechanism.