Abstract
We explore long-range interactions between two atoms excited into high principal quantum number n Rydberg states, and present calculated potential energy curves for various symmetries of doubly excited ns and np rubidium atoms. We show that the potential curves for these symmetries exhibit deep (∼ GHz) potential wells, which can support very extended (∼ µm) bound vibrational states (macrodimers). We present n-scaling relations for both the depth De of the wells and the equilibrium separations Re of these macrodimers, and explore their response to small electric fields and stability with respect to predissociation. Finally, we present a scheme to form and study these macrodimers via photoassociation, and show how one can probe the various ℓ-character of the potential wells.
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Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
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