Mechanical Effect of van der Waals Interactions Observed in Real Time in an Ultracold Rydberg Gas

Journal Article · Fri Jan 12 00:00:00 EST 2007 · Physical Review Letters

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PHYSREVLETT.98.023004· OSTI ID:20861598

Amthor, T; Reetz-Lamour, M; Westermann, S; Denskat, J; Weidemueller, M ^[1]

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1. Physikalisches Institut, Universitaet Freiburg, Hermann-Herder-Strasse 3, 79104 Freiburg (Germany)

We present time-resolved spectroscopic measurements of Rydberg-Rydberg interactions between two Rydberg atoms in an ultracold gas, revealing the pair dynamics induced by long-range van der Waals interactions between the atoms. By detuning the excitation laser, a specific pair distribution is prepared. Penning ionization on a microsecond time scale serves as a probe for the pair dynamics under the influence of the attractive long-range forces. Comparison with a Monte Carlo model not only explains all spectroscopic features but also gives quantitative information about the interaction potentials. The results imply that the interaction-induced ionization rate can be influenced by the excitation laser. Surprisingly, interaction-induced ionization is also observed for Rydberg states with purely repulsive interactions.

• OSTI ID: 20861598
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters, Vol. 98, Issue 2; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.023004; (c) 2007 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ATOMS
EXCITATION
IONIZATION
LASERS
MONTE CARLO METHOD
POTENTIALS
RYDBERG STATES
TIME RESOLUTION
VAN DER WAALS FORCES