Description of the inner state and kinetics of Rydberg atoms based on the kinetic Boltzmann equation for Rydberg electrons

Abstract

The inner characteristics and kinetics of Rydberg atoms (RAs) excited selectively over energy in a buffer gas are considered using the kinetic equation for a classical distribution function of Rydberg electrons (REs). The distribution of REs over coordinates and velocities in a moving RA is found in the general case. In a moving RA, the effect of “ blowing off” an electron cloud by a buffer gas is substantial. In this case, however, the average values of the kinetic and potential energies of REs weakly deviate from those predicted by the virial theorem. The latent and macroscopic polarizations of the medium caused by the blowing-off effect are predicted. The macroscopic polarization appears upon velocity-selective excitation of RAs and produces the bias current, which transforms to a usual electric current when the integrity of the RA is lost due to the blowing-off effect. The calculated “ electron” contribution to the transport frequency of collisions of the RA with buffer gas atoms proved to be small compared to that from the ion core.