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arXiv · 0804.1986

Evolution from a molecular Rydberg gas to an ultracold plasma in a seeded supersonic expansion of NO

J. P. Morrison·C. J. Rennick·J. S. Keller·E. R. Grant
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Abstract

We report the spontaneous formation of a plasma from a gas of cold Rydberg molecules. Double-resonant laser excitation promotes nitric oxide, cooled to 1 K in a seeded supersonic molecular beam, to single Rydberg states extending as deep as 80 cm$^{-1}$ below the lowest ionization threshold. The density of excited molecules in the illuminated volume is as high as 1 x 10$^{13}$ cm$^{-3}$. This population evolves to produce prompt free electrons and a durable cold plasma of electrons and intact NO$^{+}$ ions.

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J. P. Morrison, C. J. Rennick, J. S. Keller, E. R. Grant. 2008-04-15. Evolution from a molecular Rydberg gas to an ultracold plasma in a seeded supersonic expansion of NO. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.101.205005

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