arXiv subjects

E. E. Eyler

Publications and source records attributed to E. E. Eyler.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2018

Deflection of a Molecular Beam Using the Bichromatic Stimulated Force

We demonstrate that a bichromatic standing-wave laser field can exert a significantly larger force on a molecule than ordinary radiation pressure. Our experiment measures the deflection of a pulsed supersonic beam of CaF molecules by a two-frequency laser field detuned symmetrically about resonance with the nearly closed $X (v=0) \rightarrow B (v'=0)$ transition. The inferred force as a function of relative phase between the two counterpropagating beams is in reasonable agreement with numerical simulations of the bichromatic force in this multilevel system. The large magnitude of the force, coupled with the reduced rate of spontaneous emission, indicates its potential utility in the production and manipulation of ultracold molecules.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2017

High-Resolution Spectroscopy of {R}ydberg Molecular States of $^{85}${R}b$_2$ Near the $5s+7p$ Asymptote

Rydberg molecules, often exemplified by long-range "trilobite" molecules, are a subject of much recent interest at high principal quantum number $n$. States that use the same bonding mechanism can exist at much lower $n$ and less-extreme internuclear separations that are still quite long range. We use a high-resolution pulsed amplifier to study previously-detected transitions to a low-$n$ Rydberg molecular state near the $5s+7p$ asymptote in $^{85}$Rb$_2$. The observed line structure is modeled using precise ground-state positions and a lower bound of $τ> 1.1 \times 10^{-9}$ s is set on the excited-state autoionization lifetime.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2016

Short-range photoassociation from the inner wall of the lowest triplet potential of $^{85}$Rb$_2$

Ultracold photoassociation is typically performed at large internuclear separations, where the scattering wavefunction amplitude is large and Franck-Condon overlap is maximized. Recently, work by this group and others on alkali-metal diatomics has shown that photoassociation can efficiently form molecules at short internuclear distance in both homonuclear and heteronuclear dimers. We propose that this short-range photoassociation is due to excitation near the wavefunction amplitude maximum at the inner wall of the lowest triplet potential. We show that Franck-Condon factors from the highest-energy bound state can almost precisely reproduce Franck-Condon factors from a low-energy scattering state, and that both calculations match experimental data from the near-zero positive-energy scattering state with reasonable accuracy. We also show that the corresponding photoassociation from the inner wall of the ground-state singlet potential at much shorter internuclear distance is weaker and undetectable under our current experimental conditions. We predict from Franck-Condon factors that the strongest of these weaker short-range photoassociation transitions are one order of magnitude below our current sensitivity.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2015

Simulations of the bichromatic force in multilevel systems

Coherent optical bichromatic forces have been shown to be effective tools for rapidly slowing and cooling simple atomic systems. While previous estimates suggest that these forces may also be effective for rapidly decelerating molecules or complex atoms, a quantitative treatment for multilevel systems has been lacking. We describe detailed numerical modeling of bichromatic forces by direct numerical solution for the time-dependent density matrix in the rotating-wave approximation. We describe both the general phenomenology of an arbitrary few-level system and the specific requirements for slowing and cooling on a many-level transition in calcium monofluoride (CaF), one of the molecules of greatest current experimental interest. We show that it should be possible to decelerate a cryogenic buffer-gas-cooled beam of CaF nearly to rest without a repumping laser and within a longitudinal distance of about 1 cm. We also compare a full 16-level simulation for the CaF B$\leftrightarrow$X system with a simplified numerical model and with a semiquantitative estimate based on 2-level systems. The simplified model performs nearly as well as the complete version, whereas the 2-level model is useful for making order-of-magnitude estimates, but nothing more.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2013

Instrumentation for laser physics and spectroscopy using 32-bit microcontrollers with an Android tablet interface

Several high-performance lab instruments suitable for manual assembly have been developed using low-pin-count 32-bit microcontrollers that communicate with an Android tablet via a USB interface. A single Android tablet app accommodates multiple interface needs by uploading parameter lists and graphical data from the microcontrollers, which are themselves programmed with easily-modified C code. The hardware design of the instruments emphasizes low chip counts and is highly modular, relying on small "daughter boards" for special functions such as USB power management, waveform generation, and phase-sensitive signal detection. In one example, a daughter board provides a complete waveform generator and direct digital synthesizer that fits on a 1.5" X 0.8" circuit card.

physics.ins-det↗

arXiv2013

Four-Color Stimulated Optical Forces for Atomic and Molecular Slowing

Stimulated optical forces offer a simple and efficient method for providing optical forces far in excess of the saturated radiative force. The bichromatic force, using a counterpropagating pair of two-color beams, has so far been the most effective of these stimulated forces for deflecting and slowing atomic beams. We have numerically studied the evolution of a two-level system under several different bichromatic and polychromatic light fields, while retaining the overall geometry of the bichromatic force. New insights are gained by studying the time-dependent trajectory of the Bloch vector, including a better understanding of the remarkable robustness of bi- and polychromatic forces with imbalanced beam intensities. We show that a four-color polychromatic force exhibits great promise. By adding new frequency components at the third harmonic of the original bichromatic detuning, the force is increased by nearly 50% and its velocity range is extended by a factor of three, while the required laser power is increased by only 33%. The excited-state fraction, crucial to possible application to molecules, is reduced from 41% to 24%. We also discuss some important differences between polychromatic forces and pulse trains from a high-repetition-rate laser.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2013

Excitation of weakly-bound molecules to trilobite-like Rydberg states

We observe "trilobite-like" states of ultracold 85Rb2 molecules, in which a ground-state atom is bound by the electronic wavefunction of its Rydberg-atom partner. We populate these states through the ultraviolet excitation of weakly-bound molecules, and access a regime of trilobite-like states at low principal quantum numbers and with vibrational turning points around 35 Bohr radii. This demonstrates that, unlike previous studies that used free-to-bound transitions, trilobite-like states can also be excited through bound-to-bound transitions. This approach provides high excitation probabilities without requiring high-density samples, and affords the ability to control the excitation radius by selection of the initial-state vibrational level.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2013

Observation and Analysis of Resonant Coupling Between Near-Degenerate Levels of the 2 1Σg+ and 1 1 Πg States of Ultracold 85Rb2

We report on the anomalously high line strength of a single rotational level in the ultracold photoassociation of two 85Rb atoms to form 85Rb2. The v' = 111, J' = 5 level belongs to the Hund's case (c) 2 (0g+) state, which correlates to the Hund's case (a) 2 1 Σg+ state. Its strength is caused by coupling with a very near-resonant long-range state. The long-range component is the energetically degenerate v' = 155, J' = 5 level of the case (c) 2 (1g)$ state, correlating to the case (a) 1 1 Πg state. The line strength is enhanced by an order of magnitude through this coupling, relative to nearby vibrational levels and even to nearby rotational levels of the same vibrational level. This enhancement is in addition to the enhancement seen in all J' = 3 and 5 levels of the 2 (0g+) state due to an l = 4 shape resonance in the a 3 Σu+ state continuum, which alters the distribution of levels formed by photoassociation.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2012

Upper Bound to the Ionization Energy of 85Rb2

We report an upper bound to the ionization energy of 85Rb2 of 31348.0(6) cm-1, which also provides a lower bound to the dissociation energy D0 of 85Rb2+ of 6307.5(6) cm-1. These bounds were measured by the onset of autoionization of excited states of 85Rb2 below the 5s+7p atomic limit. We form 85Rb2 molecules via photoassociation of ultracold 85Rb atoms, and subsequently excite the molecules by single-photon ultraviolet transitions to states above the ionization threshold.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2012

Bichromatic Slowing of Metastable Helium

We examine two approaches for significantly extending the velocity range of the optical bichromatic force (BCF), to make it useful for laser deceleration of atomic and molecular beams. First, we present experimental results and calculations for BCF deceleration of metastable helium using very large BCF detunings, and discuss the limitations of this approach. We consider in detail the constraints, both inherent and practical, that set the usable upper limit of the BCF. We then show that a more promising approach is to utilize a BCF profile with a relatively small velocity range in conjunction with chirped Doppler shifts, to keep the force resonant with the atoms as they are slowed. In an initial experimental test of this chirped BCF method, helium atoms are slowed by $\sim 370$ m/s using a BCF profile with a velocity width of $\lesssim 125$ m/s. Straightforward scaling of the present results indicates that a decelerator for He* capable of loading a magneto-optical trap (MOT) can yield a brightness comparable to a much larger Zeeman slower.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2012

Photoassociation to the 2(1)Sigma(g)(+) state in ultracold 85Rb2 in the presence of a shape resonance

We report the first observation of photoassociation to the 2(1)Sigma(g)(+) state of 85Rb2 . We have observed two vibrational levels (v'=98, 99) below the 5s1/2+5p1/2 atomic limit and eleven vibrational levels (v'=102-112) above it. The photoassociation---and subsequent spontaneous emission---occur predominantly between 15 and 20 Bohr in a region of internuclear distance best described as a transition between Hund's case (a) and Hund's case (c) coupling. The presence of a g-wave shape resonance in the collision of two ground-state atoms affects the photoassociation rate and lineshape of the J'= 3 and 5 rotational levels.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2011

Prospects for rapid deceleration of small molecules by optical bichromatic forces

We examine the prospects for utilizing the optical bichromatic force (BCF) to greatly enhance laser deceleration and cooling for near-cycling transitions in small molecules. We discuss the expected behavior of the BCF in near-cycling transitions with internal degeneracies, then consider the specific example of decelerating a beam of calcium monofluoride molecules. We have selected CaF as a prototype molecule both because it has an easily-accessible near-cycling transition, and because it is well-suited to studies of ultracold molecular physics and chemistry. We also report experimental verification of one of the key requirements, the production of large bichromatic forces in a multi-level system, by performing tests in an atomic beam of metastable helium.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2011

Experimental isotope shifts of the 5 $^2S_{1/2}$ state and low-lying excited states of Rb

By combining a recent precise measurement of the ionization energy of $^{87}$Rb with previous measurements of electronic and hyperfine structure, an accurate value for the $^{85}\textrm{Rb}-^{87}\textrm{Rb}$ isotope shift of the 5$^2S_{1/2}$ ground state can be determined. In turn, comparison with additional spectroscopic data makes it possible for the first time to evaluate isotope shifts for the low-lying excited states, accurate in most cases to about 1 MHz. In a few cases, the specific mass shift contribution can be determined in addition to the total shift. This information is particularly useful for spectroscopic analysis of transitions to Rydberg states, and for tests of atomic theory.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2011

Formation of ultracold metastable Rb2 molecules in their v"=0 level by blue-detuned photoassociation

We report on the observation of blue-detuned photoassociation in Rb2, in which vibrational levels are energetically above the corresponding excited atomic asymptote. 85Rb atoms in a MOT were photoassociated at short internuclear distances to levels of the (1)3Pi g state at a rate of approximately 5x10^4 molecules/s. We have observed most of the predicted vibrational levels for all four spin-orbit components 0g+, 0g-, 1g, and 2g, including levels of the 0g+ outer well. These molecules decay to the metastable a3Sigma u+ state, some preferentially to the v"=0 level, as we have observed for photoassociation to the v'=8 level of the 1g component.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2009

Upper Limit on the Magnetic Dipole Contribution to the 5p-8p Transition in Rb by Use of Ultracold Atom Spectroscopy

We report on hyperfine-resolved spectroscopic measurements of the electric-dipole forbidden 5$p_{3/2} \to 8p_{1/2}$ transition in a sample of ultracold $^{87}$Rb atoms. The hyperfine selection rules enable the weak magnetic-dipole (M1) contribution to the transition strength to be distinguished from the much stronger electric-quadrupole (E2) contribution. An upper limit on the M1 transition strength is determined that is about 50 times smaller than an earlier experimental determination. We also calculate the expected value of the M1 matrix element and find that it is less than the upper limit extracted from the experiment.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2008

Observation of Electric Quadrupole Transitions to Rydberg nd States of Ultracold Rubidium Atoms

We report the observation of dipole-forbidden, but quadrupole-allowed, one-photon transitions to high Rydberg states in Rb. Using pulsed UV excitation of ultracold atoms in a magneto-optical trap, we excite $5s \to nd$ transitions over a range of principal quantum numbers $n=27-59$. Compared to dipole-allowed (E1) transitions from $5s \to np$, these E2 transitions are weaker by a factor of approximately 2000. We also report measurements of the anomalous $np_{3/2} : np_{1/2}$ fine-structure transition strength ratio for $n=28-75$. Both results are in agreement with theoretical predictions.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2008

Long-range potentials and $(n-1)d+ns$ molecular resonances in an ultracold rydberg gas

We have calculated long-range molecular potentials of the $0_g^{+}$, $0_u^{-}$ and $1_u$ symmetries between highly-excited rubidium atoms. Strong $np+np$ potentials characterized by these symmetries are important in describing interaction-induced phenomena in the excitation spectra of high $np$ Rydberg states. Long-range molecular resonances are such phenomena and they were first reported in S.M. Farooqi {\it et al.}, Phys. Rev. Lett. {\bf 91} 183002. One class of these resonances occurs at energies corresponding to excited atom pairs $(n-1)d+ns$. Such resonances are attributed to $\ell$-mixing due to Rydberg-Rydberg interactions so that otherwise forbidden molecular transitions become allowed. We calculate molecular potentials in Hund's case (c), use them to find the resonance lineshape and compare to experimental results.

physics.atom-ph↗

arXiv2007

Enhancement of the formation of ultracold $^{85}$Rb$_2$ molecules due to resonant coupling

We have studied the effect of resonant electronic state coupling on the formation of ultracold ground-state $^{85}$Rb$_2$. Ultracold Rb$_2$ molecules are formed by photoassociation (PA) to a coupled pair of $0_u^+$ states, $0_u^+(P_{1/2})$ and $0_u^+(P_{3/2})$, in the region below the $5S+5P_{1/2}$ limit. Subsequent radiative decay produces high vibrational levels of the ground state, $X ^1Σ_g^+$. The population distribution of these $X$ state vibrational levels is monitored by resonance-enhanced two-photon ionization through the $2 ^1Σ_u^+$ state. We find that the populations of vibrational levels $v''$=112$-$116 are far larger than can be accounted for by the Franck-Condon factors for $0_u^+(P_{1/2}) \to X ^1Σ_g^+$ transitions with the $0_u^+(P_{1/2})$ state treated as a single channel. Further, the ground-state molecule population exhibits oscillatory behavior as the PA laser is tuned through a succession of $0_u^+$ state vibrational levels. Both of these effects are explained by a new calculation of transition amplitudes that includes the resonant character of the spin-orbit coupling of the two $0_u^+$ states. The resulting enhancement of more deeply bound ground-state molecule formation will be useful for future experiments on ultracold molecules.

physics.atom-ph↗