Angular Dependence of the Dipole-Dipole Interaction in a Nearly One-Dimensional Sample of Rydberg Atoms

Thomas J. Carroll, Katharine Claringbould, Anne Goodsell, M. J. Lim, and Michael W. Noel
Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 153001 – Published 4 October 2004

Abstract

Atoms in an ultracold highly excited sample are strongly coupled through the dipole-dipole interaction. In an effort to understand and manipulate the complicated interactions in this system we are investigating their dependence on the relative orientation of the dipoles. By focusing a 480 nm beam from a tunable dye laser into a magneto-optical trap, we produce a nearly one-dimensional sample of Rydberg atoms. The trap lies at the center of four conducting rods with which we can vary the magnitude and direction of the electric field at the trap, thus controlling the orientation of the dipoles with respect to the sample axis. We have measured the strength of the interaction for a variety of relative orientations.

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  • Received 22 May 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevLett.93.153001

©2004 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Thomas J. Carroll, Katharine Claringbould, Anne Goodsell*, M. J. Lim, and Michael W. Noel

  • Department of Physics, Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010, USA

  • *Also at: Physics Department, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
  • Present address: Department of Physics and Astronomy, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ 08028, USA.

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Issue

Vol. 93, Iss. 15 — 8 October 2004

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