Dephasing of Stark Wave Packets Induced by Colored Noise

Journal Article · Sun Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 2006 · Physical Review A

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.75.013414· OSTI ID:932136

Yoshida, S ^[1]; Reinhold, Carlos O ^[2]; Burgdorfer, J ^[1]; Zhao, W ^[3]; Mestayer, J J ^[3]; Lancaster, J C ^[3]; Dunning, F B ^[3]

---

1. Institute for Theoretical Physics, Vienna University of Technology, Austria
2. ORNL
3. Rice University

The time evolution of Stark wave packets in Rydberg atoms under the influence of colored noise is analyzed. The Stark wave packets are generated by exposing K(350p) Rydberg atoms to an electric field step. Their time evolution is monitored using a half-cycle probe pulse that is applied after a variable time delay. The noise is generated by randomly modulating the amplitude of the static field. We show that noise results in an enhanced and irreversible dephasing of Stark quantum beats, as monitored by the damping of the beat amplitude. This source of decoherence is most effective when the characteristic frequency of the noise power spectrum matches the orbital frequency of the Rydberg electron. Noise driven resonant deltan=1 transitions broaden the energy distribution thereby accelerating the dephasing.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL)
• Sponsoring Organization: SC USDOE - Office of Science (SC)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 932136
• Journal Information: Physical Review A, Journal Name: Physical Review A Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 75; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AMPLITUDES
DAMPING
ENERGY SPECTRA
NOISE
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
RYDBERG STATES
STARK EFFECT
WAVE PACKETS