All-optical measurement of Rydberg-state lifetimes

Markus Mack, Jens Grimmel, Florian Karlewski, Lőrinc Sárkány, Helge Hattermann, and József Fortágh
Phys. Rev. A 92, 012517 – Published 24 July 2015

Abstract

We have developed an all-optical method for measuring the lifetimes of nS and nD Rydberg states and demonstrate its capabilities with measurements on a dilute cloud of ultracold Rb87 atoms in a cryogenic environment. The method is based on the time-resolved observation of resonant light absorption by ground-state atoms and selective transfer of Rydberg atoms into the ground state at varying delay times in order to reconstruct Rydberg decay curves. Our measurements of the Rb87 30S1/2 state indicate an increase of the lifetime at lowered environment temperatures, as expected due to decreased blackbody radiation. For the 38D5/2 state with an attractive dipole-dipole interaction, ionization and lifetime reduction due to collisional effects are observed.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 26 May 2015

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.92.012517

©2015 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Markus Mack*, Jens Grimmel, Florian Karlewski, Lőrinc Sárkány, Helge Hattermann, and József Fortágh

  • CQ Center for Collective Quantum Phenomena and Their Applications, Physikalisches Institut, Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen, Auf der Morgenstelle 14, D-72076 Tübingen, Germany

  • *markus.mack@uni-tuebingen.de
  • fortagh@uni-tuebingen.de

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 92, Iss. 1 — July 2015

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review A

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×