Hannover 2016 – scientific programme

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Q: Fachverband Quantenoptik und Photonik

Q 11: Poster: Quantum Optics and Photonics I

Q 11.13: Poster

Monday, February 29, 2016, 16:30–19:00, Empore Lichthof

Dynamics of ultracold Rydberg macrodimers — Heiner Saßmannshausen, Frédéric Merkt, and •Johannes Deiglmayr — ETH Zurich, Laboratory of Physical Chemistry, Switzerland

We report on a study of pairwise interactions between Cs atoms excited to np_3/2 Rydberg states of principal quantum numbers in the range n=22−36 [1]. Molecular resonances arising from dipole-dipole and higher long-range-interaction terms between the Rydberg atoms are identified on the basis of their spectral positions, their response to static and pulsed electric fields, and millimeter-wave spectra between pair states. The Rydberg-atom–pair states are found to spontaneously decay by Penning ionization and the dynamics of the ionization process are investigated. To interpret the experimental observations, a potential model was derived that is based on the numerical determination of the eigenvalues and eigenfunctions of the long-range interaction Hamiltonian. With this potential model, which does not include adjustable parameters, all experimental observations could be accounted for, and the results demonstrate that long-range-interaction models provide a global and accurate description of interactions in ultracold Rydberg gases which accounts for phenomena as diverse as the formation of Rydberg macrodimers, Penning ionization in dense Rydberg gases, and Rydberg-excitation blockade effects.

[1] H. Saßmannshausen, F. Merkt, and J. Deiglmayr, Phys. Rev. A 92, 032505 (2015)