Darmstadt 2008 – scientific programme
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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik
Q 25: Laseranwendungen (Spektroskopie)
Q 25.5: Talk
Tuesday, March 11, 2008, 17:30–17:45, 3H
Doppler-free Spectroscopy of Rubidium Rydberg Transitions in a Room-temperature Gas Cell — Thomas Becker1,2, •Pierre Thoumany1,2, Thomas Germann1, Gernot Stania1, Linas Urbonas1, and Theodor Hänsch1 — 1Max-Planck-Institut für Quantenoptik, Garching, Germany — 2Physik Departement, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich, Germany
Until recently, Doppler-free detection of Rydberg transitions was limited to techniques, where the subsequent ionization of Rydberg atoms allows for an electronic detection. This requires the use of an atomic beam apparatus or thermionic diodes. In our setup, we use a two stage cascaded laser setup (780 nm, 480nm) or a two stage V-scheme (297 nm, 780 nm) to excite and detect Rydberg transitions in a room temperature gas cell. In both cases, the population of the Rydberg levels is monitored optically via the decreased absorbtion of the 780 nm radiation (rubidium D2 line). We discuss the general setup, the observed lineshapes and present results on laser frequency stabilization to Rydberg transitions using this technique. In addition, we discuss similarities to the well known electron shelving technique used to detect weak transitions in trapped ions.