Dynamical Stabilization of the Periodically Kicked Rydberg Atom

Measurements in which $K\left(\mathrm{np}\right)$ Rydberg atoms with $n\sim 388$ are subject to a train of up to 50 half-cycle pulses are reported and reveal a peak in the atomic survival probability for pulse repetition frequencies near the classical orbital frequency. Classical calculations show that this behavior is associated with dynamical stabilization and the periodic orbits in phase space around which stable islands form are identified. This work provides the first direct evidence for dynamical stabilization of a periodically kicked Rydberg atom.