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arXiv · 1202.5240

Guiding of Rydberg atoms in a high-gradient magnetic guide

M. Traxler·R. E. Sapiro·C. Hempel·K. Lundquist·E. P. Power·G. Raithel
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Abstract

We study the guiding of $^{87}$Rb 59D$_{5/2}$ Rydberg atoms in a linear, high-gradient, two-wire magnetic guide. Time delayed microwave ionization and ion detection are used to probe the Rydberg atom motion. We observe guiding of Rydberg atoms over a period of 5 ms following excitation. The decay time of the guided atom signal is about five times that of the initial state. We attribute the lifetime increase to an initial phase of $l$-changing collisions and thermally induced Rydberg-Rydberg transitions. Detailed simulations of Rydberg atom guiding reproduce most experimental observations and offer insight into the internal-state evolution.

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M. Traxler, R. E. Sapiro, C. Hempel, K. Lundquist, E. P. Power, G. Raithel. 2012-02-23. Guiding of Rydberg atoms in a high-gradient magnetic guide. https://doi.org/10.1103/physreva.86.023414

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