Mechanical effect of van der Waals interactions observed in real time in an ultracold Rydberg gas

被引：115

作者：

Amthor, T. ^{[1
]}

Reetz-Lamour, M. ^{[1
]}

Westermann, S. ^{[1
]}

Denskat, J. ^{[1
]}

Weidemueller, M. ^{[1
]}

机构：

[1] Univ Freiburg, Inst Phys, D-79104 Freiburg, Germany

来源：

PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS | 2007年 / 98卷 / 02期

关键词：

D O I：

10.1103/PhysRevLett.98.023004

中图分类号：

O4 [物理学];

学科分类号：

0702 ;

摘要：

We present time-resolved spectroscopic measurements of Rydberg-Rydberg interactions between two Rydberg atoms in an ultracold gas, revealing the pair dynamics induced by long-range van der Waals interactions between the atoms. By detuning the excitation laser, a specific pair distribution is prepared. Penning ionization on a microsecond time scale serves as a probe for the pair dynamics under the influence of the attractive long-range forces. Comparison with a Monte Carlo model not only explains all spectroscopic features but also gives quantitative information about the interaction potentials. The results imply that the interaction-induced ionization rate can be influenced by the excitation laser. Surprisingly, interaction-induced ionization is also observed for Rydberg states with purely repulsive interactions.

引用

页数：4

共 22 条

[1] Resonant dipole-dipole energy transfer in a nearly frozen Rydberg gas [J].