Düsseldorf 2007 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 7: Ultracold Plasmas and Rydberg Dynamics (jointly with Q)

A 7.1: Invited Talk

Tuesday, March 20, 2007, 10:30–11:00, 5M

Rydberg atom and molecule optics — •Frederic Merkt, Edward Vliegen, and Stephen Hogan — ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland

Recent experiment are reviewed in which the velocity distributions of Rydberg atoms and molecules have been influenced by the use of inhomogeneous fields. The experiments rely on the very large dipole moments exhibited by Rydberg Stark states and the large forces that can be applied on the particles by inhomogeneous electric fields. Typical experiments rely on the photoexcitation of cold atoms and molecules in skimmed supersonic beams to Rydberg Stark states. When propagating through regions of space in which inhomogeneous electric fields are applied, the particles are subject to strong forces [1]. Carefully designed electrode configurations enable the application of very large forces. By optimizing the time dependence of the applied electric fields the forces applied on the atoms can be adapted to the instantaneous positions of the particles [2,3]. Based on these principles, we have realised several devices such as Rydberg atom deflectors [1], accelerators and decelerators [1-4], a Rydberg atom mirror [5], and two-dimensional and three-dimensional traps for Rydberg atoms and molecules.

[1] S. R. Procter, Y. Yamakita, F. Merkt and T. P. Softley, Chem. Phys. Lett. 374, 667 (2003) [2] E. Vliegen, H.J. Woerner, T.P. Softley and F. Merkt, Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 033005 (2004) [3] E. Vliegen and F. Merkt, J. Phys. B 38, 1623 (2005) [4] E. Vliegen and F. Merkt, J. Phys. B 39, L241 (2006) [5] E. Vliegen and F. Merkt, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97, 033002 (2006)