Abstract
Data demonstrating that, contrary to earlier results, laser-excited sodium Rydberg atoms may pass from low-electric field strengths to ionizing electric field strengths along two quite distinct paths is presented. One path involves predominantly adiabatic passage while the other path involves predominantly diabatic passage. Data are presented along with a model that supports this conclusion.
- Received 11 September 1979
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.44.390
©1980 American Physical Society