Improving the state selectivity of field ionization with quantum control

Vincent C. Gregoric, Jason J. Bennett, Bianca R. Gualtieri, Ankitha Kannad, Zhimin Cheryl Liu, Zoe A. Rowley, Thomas J. Carroll, and Michael W. Noel
Phys. Rev. A 98, 063404 – Published 4 December 2018

Abstract

The electron signals from the field ionization of two closely spaced Rydberg states of rubidium-85 are separated using quantum control. In selective field ionization, the state distribution of a collection of Rydberg atoms is measured by ionizing the atoms with a ramped electric field. Generally, atoms in higher energy states ionize at lower fields, so ionized electrons which are detected earlier in time can be correlated with higher energy Rydberg states. However, the resolution of this technique is limited by the Stark effect. As the electric field is increased, the electron encounters numerous avoided Stark level crossings which split the amplitude among many states, thus broadening the time-resolved ionization signal. Previously, a genetic algorithm has been used to control the signal shape of a single Rydberg state. The present work extends this technique to separate the signals from the 34s and 33p states of rubidium-85, which are overlapped when using a simple field ramp as in selective field ionization.

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  • Received 31 May 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.98.063404

©2018 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Atomic, Molecular & Optical

Authors & Affiliations

Vincent C. Gregoric1, Jason J. Bennett2, Bianca R. Gualtieri2, Ankitha Kannad1, Zhimin Cheryl Liu1, Zoe A. Rowley2, Thomas J. Carroll2, and Michael W. Noel1

  • 1Department of Physics, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010, USA
  • 2Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426, USA

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Issue

Vol. 98, Iss. 6 — December 2018

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