Abstract

We investigate the phenomenon of optical bistability in a driven ensemble of Rydberg atoms. By performing two experiments with thermal vapors of rubidium and cesium, we are able to shed light onto the underlying interaction mechanisms causing such a non-linear behavior. Due to the different properties of these two atomic species, we conclude that the large polarizability of Rydberg states in combination with electric fields of spontaneously ionized Rydberg atoms is the relevant interaction mechanism. In the case of rubidium, we directly measure the electric field in a bistable situation via two-species spectroscopy. In cesium, we make use of the different sign of the polarizability for different l-states and the possibility of applying electric fields. Both these experiments allow us to rule out dipole-dipole interactions, and support our hypothesis of a charge-induced bistability.

Highlights

  • The extraordinary properties of highly excited atoms have led to a renaissance in the research field of Rydberg atoms

  • Our experimental findings presented here support an alternative interpretation: We argue that the large polarizability of Rydberg states in the presence of ions is at the heart of the optical bistability in thermal Rydberg vapor

  • We describe the observation of optical bistability in two separate experiments, one with a thermal vapor of rubidium atoms and the other with cesium

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Summary

Introduction

The extraordinary properties of highly excited atoms have led to a renaissance in the research field of Rydberg atoms. The latter has exclusively been studied in thermal vapors [18,19,20,21,22]. In these publications, one interpretation suggests that the underlying mechanism for the bistability is a dipole-dipole interaction between Rydberg states. Our experimental findings presented here support an alternative interpretation: We argue that the large polarizability of Rydberg states in the presence of ions is at the heart of the optical bistability in thermal Rydberg vapor

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