The corrections to quantum defect for high n Rydberg atoms

Abstract

Quantum defect converges to constant value at high Rydberg series in quantum defect theory. In experiments, it is usually distorted by the shift of ionization limit, external magnetic field, or external electric filed. The shift of ionization limit has cubic power of effective quantum number correction to the quantum defect, while the magnetic and electric field has seventh and tenth power of effective quantum number correction, respectively. The simulation shows that the electric field correction to the quantum defect is very small at low Rydberg states, but it increases quickly at high Rydberg states and even exceeds the correction from the shift of ionization limit. The correction to quantum defect is up to 0.93 at n0*=80. The two scenarios can be distinguished by fitting the experimental data, and the energy spectrum can be obtained more accurately by fixing the corrections.