Abstract
We propose a novel type of Rydberg dimer, consisting of a Rydberg-state atom bound to a distant positive ion. The molecule is formed through long-range electric-multipole interaction between the Rydberg atom and the point-like ion. We present potential energy curves (PECs) that are asymptotically connected with Rydberg $nP$- or $nD$-states of rubidium or cesium. The PECs exhibit deep, long-range wells which support many vibrational states of Rydberg-atom-ion molecules (RAIMs). We consider photo-association of RAIMs in both the weak and the strong optical-coupling regimes between initial and Rydberg states of the neutral atom. Experimental considerations for the realization of RAIMs are discussed.
Highlights
Ultralong-range Rydberg molecules (ULRM) [1,2] have become an active field of research ever since they were first predicted [3,4] and experimentally observed [5,6]
We present potential energy curves (PECs) that are asymptotically connected with Rydberg nP or nD states of rubidium or cesium
The second type of ULRM is formed by a pair of atoms that are both excited to Rydberg states, often referred to as Rydberg macrodimers [4,6,26]
Summary
Ultralong-range Rydberg molecules (ULRM) [1,2] have become an active field of research ever since they were first predicted [3,4] and experimentally observed [5,6]. The second type of ULRM is formed by a pair of atoms that are both excited to Rydberg states, often referred to as Rydberg macrodimers [4,6,26] In this case, the binding mechanism arises from the multipolar electrostatic interaction between the two atoms as has been studied in numerous theoretical works [27,28,29,30,31]. While RAIMs exist over a wider range of n, here we show results for Rb and Cs RAIMs with Rydberg levels between n = 45 and 55, because these levels are laser-excitable and their ionization electric fields [61], ∼50 V/cm, are low enough for convenient RAIM detection Their RAIM bonding lengths and vibrational frequencies are conducive to experimental study.
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