Abstract
Clouds of ultracold strontium $5s48s\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{}^{1}{S}_{0}$ or $5s47d\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{}^{1}{D}_{2}$ Rydberg atoms are created by two-photon excitation of laser-cooled $5{s}^{2}\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}{}^{1}{S}_{0}$ atoms. The spontaneous evolution of the cloud of low orbital angular momentum (low-$\ensuremath{\ell}$) Rydberg states towards an ultracold neutral plasma is observed by imaging resonant light scattered from core ions, a technique that provides both spatial and temporal resolution. Evolution is observed to be faster for the $S$ states, which display isotropic attractive interactions, than for the $D$ states, which exhibit anisotropic, principally repulsive interactions. Immersion of the atoms in a dilute ultracold neutral plasma speeds up the evolution and allows the number of Rydberg atoms initially created to be determined.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.