Abstract
We propose to use the ponderomotive energy of Rydberg electrons in standing-wave light fields to form an optical lattice for Rydberg atoms. Application of the Born-Oppenheimer approximation shows that, with readily achievable experimental parameters, atoms in any Rydberg state can be trapped. Realization of this scheme would extend the benefits of atom trapping to highly excited atoms.
- Received 31 August 2000
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.85.5551
©2000 American Physical Society