Abstract
We report the first observation of the ionization of Rydberg atoms by a circularly polarized 8.5-GHz microwave field. The observed threshold field for ionization is E=1/16, a value higher than that required for ionization by a linearly polarized microwave field. The origin of this threshold can be understood by transforming to a frame rotating at the microwave frequency. In the rotating frame no transitions occur, and level mixings alone are responsible for the ionization.
- Received 6 November 1989
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.64.511
©1990 American Physical Society