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Ionization of very-high-{ital n} Rydberg atoms by half-cycle pulses in the short-pulse regime

Journal Article · · Physical Review A
;  [1]; ;  [2]
  1. Department of Physics and the Rice Quantum Institute, Rice University, 6100 South Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005-1892 (United States)
  2. Physics Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6373 (United States)
The ionization of potassium Rydberg atoms with {ital n}{approximately}388 and {ital n}{approximately}520 by pulsed electric fields whose durations, which range from {approximately}2 to {approximately}110 ns, span the transition from the short-pulse to the long-pulse regime is investigated experimentally and the data compared with the results of classical trajectory Monte Carlo calculations. We observe excellent agreement between theory and experiment providing a benchmark test for the validity of the classical limit of ionization. Very-high-{ital n} atoms provide an excellent tool with which to probe the response of atoms to pulsed electric fields in the short-pulse regime. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-96OR22464
OSTI ID:
283863
Journal Information:
Physical Review A, Journal Name: Physical Review A Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 53; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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