Hannover 2016 – scientific programme

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A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 28: Ultracold plasmas and Rydberg systems (with Q)

A 28.4: Poster

Wednesday, March 2, 2016, 16:30–19:00, Empore Lichthof

Towards coherence measurements of Rydberg atoms with all-optical detection — •Lara Torralbo-Campo, Jens Grimmel, Florian Karlewski, Carola Rogulj, and József Fortágh — Physikalisches Institut der Universität Tübingen, Germany

We have developed a non-destructive and time-resolved method to optically detect the population of atoms in a selected Rydberg state as alternative to selective field ionization. This scheme is based on electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). By monitoring the optical density of the probe laser over time, we can imply the initial population of the Rydberg state. We have tested the new method as proof-of-principle in a cold gas of 87-Rb atoms where lifetimes of Rydberg states under various environment conditions were measured. This method promises also to provide information regarding the initial coherence of the system. We present the ongoing work towards measurements of the coherence in a Rydberg gas.