Transform-limited collisions of K Rydberg atoms

Journal Article · Sun Dec 23 23:00:00 EST 1990 · Physical Review Letters; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.65.3273· OSTI ID:5835825

Thomson, D S; Renn, M J; Gallagher, T F ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22901 (USA)

By reducing the collision velocity of Rydberg atoms in resonant energy-transfer collisions, we have observed collisional resonances as narrow as 1 MHz, or collision times as long as 1.0 {mu}s. Restricting the collision to a time less than the natural collision time results in transform broadening of the resonances, allowing us to know when an individual collision begins and ends. The latter point is verified by observing the dependence of the collision line shape on the phase of an oscillating field of frequency equal to the width of the collisional resonance.

• OSTI ID: 5835825
• Journal Information: Physical Review Letters; (USA), Journal Name: Physical Review Letters; (USA) Vol. 65:26; ISSN PRLTA; ISSN 0031-9007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640304* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Collision Phenomena
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
ALKALI METALS
ATOM COLLISIONS
ATOM-ATOM COLLISIONS
ATOMIC BEAMS
BEAMS
COLLISIONS
COMPUTERS
DIGITAL COMPUTERS
DYE LASERS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ELEMENTS
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY TRANSFER
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
EXCITED STATES
FERMIONS
IONIZATION
LASER RADIATION
LASERS
LEPTONS
LIQUID LASERS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
METALS
MICROCOMPUTERS
PHOTONS
PLATES
POTASSIUM
PULSES
RADIATIONS
RESONANCE
RF SYSTEMS
RYDBERG STATES
TUNING
VACUUM SYSTEMS
VELOCITY