arXiv · quant-ph/0602183
Simultaneous position and state measurement of Rydberg atoms
Abstract
We present a technique for state-selective position detection of cold Rydberg atoms. Ground state Rb atoms in a magneto-optical trap are excited to a Rydberg state and are subsequently ionized with a tailored electric field pulse. This pulse selectively ionizes only atoms in e.g. the 54d state and not in the 53d state. The released electrons are detected after a slow flight towards a micro channel plate. From the time of flight of the electrons the position of the atoms is deduced. The state selectivity is about 20:1 when comparing 54d with 53d and the one-dimensional position resolution ranges from 6 to 40 $μ$m over a range of 300 $μ$m. This state selectivity and position resolution are sufficient to allow for the observation of coherent quantum excitation transport.
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C. S. E. van Ditzhuijzen, A. F. Koenderink, L. D. Noordam, H. B. van Linden van den Heuvell. 2007-05-22. Simultaneous position and state measurement of Rydberg atoms. https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd%2Fe2006-00140-1
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