Hannover 2020 – scientific programme

The DPG Spring Meeting in Hannover had to be cancelled! Read more ...

Parts | Days | Selection | Search | Updates | Downloads | Help

A: Fachverband Atomphysik

A 22: Poster Session - Atomic Physics III

A 22.6: Poster

Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 16:00–18:00, Empore Lichthof

Rydberg molecules under a reaction microscope — •Daniel Fichtner, Max Althön, Philipp Geppert, and Herwig Ott — Department of Physics and Research Center OPTIMAS, TU Kaiserslautern

We report on the first results of our MOTRIMS-type reaction microscope experiment. We prepare a sample of ⁸⁷Rb atoms in a 3D-MOT, which is loaded from a 2D-MOT. The atoms are then transferred to a crossed optical dipole trap. Using a 3-photon excitation scheme, atoms are excited to atomic or molecular Rydberg states and photoionized by a short laser pulse from a high power CO₂ laser after a variable evolution time. Following small homogeneous electric fields generated by Wiley-McLaren-type ion optics, the produced ions are subsequently detected by a time and position sensitive micro channel plate detector. This tool allows both momentum- and position-resolved measurements of few-body Rydberg dynamics. In this context, we are especially interested in measuring momentum distributions of Rydberg molecule vibrational states as well as momenta resulting from internal decay processes such as l-changing collisions. Special focus lies on butterfly and trilobite molecules, which can be addressed efficiently due to the opportunity of exciting Rydberg p- and f-states. As an outlook we present a scheme to address heavy Rydberg systems via Rydberg molecules.