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At least 37 records · Page 2

Static and dynamic polarizability for C{sup 2+} in Rydberg states

This work presents results from a non-perturbative calculation of dynamic polarizability of C III ions in 1s{sup 2}2sns ({sup 1}S{sup e}) Rydberg states. We employ a two-state model for dressed atomic states to investigate the effect of the frequency-dependent polarizability of optically dressed 1s{sup 2}2sns({sup 1}S{sup e}) states (n = 5 − 12) on transitions to nearby states (1s{sup 2}2pns({sup 1}P{sub 1}{sup o})). Our model calculation results indicate that the resonance structure of the polarizabilities is entirely captured by the transition terms whereas the free electron polarizability only provides a smooth background. The resonance structure is evident in the plots and the widths increase with increasing principal quantum number. This work refers to highly excited 1s{sup 2}2sns ({sup 1}S) Rydberg states, embedded in the electric dipole field of the 2s – 2p core transition in Li-like C{sup 3+} ion. The contributions of the individual transitions to the static polarizabilities of these Rydberg states are obtained from the use of the sum-over-state method. To this aim, both the C{sup 2+} ground state and the C{sup 3+} target state energies have been carefully calculated based on the configuration interactions method implemented in the General-purpose Relativistic Atomic Structure Package. Agreement is reasonably good with existing data wherever available. These results are believed to be the first such values for this system and will be important for ionic spectroscopy and plasma diagnostics.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Self-interaction corrected density functional calculations of molecular Rydberg states

A method is presented for calculating the wave function and energy of Rydberg excited states of molecules. A good estimate of the Rydberg state orbital is obtained using ground state density functional theory including Perdew-Zunger self-interaction correction and an optimized effective potential. The total energy of the excited molecule is obtained using the Delta Self-Consistent Field method where an electron is removed from the highest occupied orbital and placed in the Rydberg orbital. Results are presented for the first few Rydberg states of NH{sub 3}, H{sub 2}O, H{sub 2}CO, C{sub 2}H{sub 4}, and N(CH{sub 3}){sub 3}. The mean absolute error in the energy of the 33 molecular Rydberg states presented here is 0.18 eV. The orbitals are represented on a real space grid, avoiding the dependence on diffuse atomic basis sets. As in standard density functional theory calculations, the computational effort scales as NM{sup 2} where N is the number of orbitals and M is the number of grid points included in the calculation. Due to the slow scaling of the computational effort with system size and the high level of parallelism in the real space grid approach, the method presented here makes it possible to estimate Rydberg electron binding energy in large molecules.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Transitions between Rydberg states in two-color corotating circularly polarized laser pulses

We present a study of higher-order Raman (Λ, V, and S) transitions between Rydberg states involving the absorption and emission of at least three photons in the interaction of two-color corotating circularly polarized laser pulses with the hydrogen atom. Our analysis is based on results of numerical solutions of the corresponding time-dependent Schrödinger equation. Here, the results for the interaction with (ω,2ω) fields show that the simultaneous interaction with both fields results in an excited state distribution over a broad range of magnetic quantum numbers. Indications of the impact of the Λ, V, and S transitions are found via the analysis of final distributions resulting from the preparation of the atom in specific Rydberg states. Furthermore, we show that similar mechanisms for the redistribution of population between Rydberg states are present in two-color fields with larger differences in the central frequencies, i.e., (ω,3ω) and (ω,4ω) fields.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

GHz Rabi Flopping to Rydberg States in Hot Atomic Vapor Cells

We report on the observation of Rabi oscillations to a Rydberg state on a time scale below 1 ns in thermal rubidium vapor. We use a bandwidth-limited pulsed excitation and observe up to 6 full Rabi cycles within a pulse duration of {approx}4 ns. We find good agreement between the experiment and numerical simulations based on a surprisingly simple model. This result shows that fully coherent dynamics with Rydberg states can be achieved even in thermal atomic vapor, thus suggesting small vapor cells as a platform for room-temperature quantum devices. Furthermore, the result implies that previous coherent dynamics in single-atom Rydberg gates can be accelerated by 3 orders of magnitude.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Measurement of absolute transition frequencies of {sup 87}Rb to nS and nD Rydberg states by means of electromagnetically induced transparency

We report the measurement of absolute excitation frequencies of {sup 87}Rb to nS and nD Rydberg states. The Rydberg transition frequencies are obtained by observing electromagnetically induced transparency on a rubidium vapor cell. The accuracy of the measurement of each state is < or approx. 1 MHz, which is achieved by frequency stabilizing the two diode lasers employed for the spectroscopy to a frequency comb and a frequency comb calibrated wavelength meter, respectively. Based on the spectroscopic data we determine the quantum defects of {sup 87}Rb, and compare it with previous measurements on {sup 85}Rb. We determine the ionization frequency from the 5S{sub 1/2}(F=1) ground state of {sup 87}Rb to 1010.029 164 6(3)THz, providing the binding energy of the ground state with an accuracy improved by two orders of magnitude.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Photodissociation Dynamics of the Cyclohexyl Radical from the 3p Rydberg State at 248 nm

The photodissociation of jet-cooled cyclohexyl was studied by exciting the radicals to their 3p Rydberg state by using 248 nm laser light and detecting photoproducts by photofragment translational spectroscopy. Both H atom loss and dissociation to heavy fragment pairs are observed. The H atom loss channel exhibits a two-component translational energy distribution. The fast photoproduct component is attributed to impulsive cleavage directly from an excited state, likely the Rydberg 3s state, forming cyclohexene. The slow component is due to statistical decomposition of hot cyclohexyl radicals that internally convert to the ground electronic state prior to H atom loss. The fast and slow components are present in an ~0.7:1 ratio, similar to findings in other alkyl radicals. Internal conversion to the ground state also leads to ring-opening followed by dissociation to 1-buten-4-yl + ethene in comparable yield to H-loss, with the C 4 H 7 fragment containing enough internal energy to dissociate further to butadiene via H atom loss. A very minor ground-state C 5 H 8 + CH 3 channel is observed, attributed predominantly to 1,3-pentadiene formation. Lastly, the ground-state branching ratios agree well with RRKM calculations, which also predict C 4 H 6 + C 2 H 5 and C 3 H 6 + C 3 H 5 channels with similar yield to C 5 H 8 + CH 3 . If these channels were active, it was at levels too low to be observed.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Dynamically tunable moiré exciton Rydberg states in a monolayer semiconductor on twisted bilayer graphene

Moiré excitons are emergent optical excitations in two-dimensional semiconductors with moiré superlattice potentials. Although these excitations have been observed on several platforms, a system with dynamically tunable moiré potential to tailor their properties is yet to be realized. Here we present a continuously tunable moiré potential in monolayer WSe 2 , enabled by its proximity to twisted bilayer graphene (TBG) near the magic angle. By tuning local charge density via gating, TBG provides a spatially varying and dynamically tunable dielectric superlattice for modulation of monolayer WSe 2 exciton wave functions. We observed emergent moiré exciton Rydberg branches with increased energy splitting following doping of TBG due to exciton wave function hybridization between bright and dark Rydberg states. In addition, emergent Rydberg states can probe strongly correlated states in TBG at the magic angle. Finally, our study provides a new platform for engineering moiré excitons and optical accessibility to electronic states with small correlation gaps in TBG.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Doppler- and recoil-free laser excitation of Rydberg states via three-photon transitions

Three-photon laser excitation of Rydberg states by three different laser beams can be arranged in a starlike geometry that simultaneously eliminates the recoil effect and Doppler broadening. Our analytical and numerical calculations for a particular laser excitation scheme 5S{sub 1/2}{yields}5P{sub 3/2}{yields}6S{sub 1/2}{yields}nP in Rb atoms have shown that, compared to the one- and two-photon laser excitation, this approach provides much narrower linewidth and longer coherence time for both cold atom samples and hot vapors, if the intermediate one-photon resonances of the three-photon transition are detuned by more than respective single-photon Doppler widths. This method can be used to improve fidelity of Rydberg quantum gates and precision of spectroscopic measurements in Rydberg atoms.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Theoretical description of electronically excited vinylidene up to 10 eV: First high level ab initio study of singlet valence and Rydberg states

The first quantitative description of the Rydberg and valence singlet electronic states of vinylidene lying in the 0–10 eV region is performed by using large scale ab initio calculations. A deep analysis of Rydberg-valence interactions has been achieved thanks to the comprehensive information contained in the accurate Multi-Reference Configuration Interaction wavefunctions and an original population analysis highlighting the respective role played by orbital and state mixing in such interactions. The present theoretical approach is thus adequate for dealing with larger than diatomic Rydberg systems. The nine lowest singlet valence states have been optimized. Among them, some are involved in strong Rydberg-valence interactions in the region of the Rydberg state equilibrium geometry. The Rydberg states of vinylidene present a great similarity with the acetylene isomer, concerning their quantum defects and Rydberg molecular orbital character. As in acetylene, strong s-d mixing is revealed in the n = 3 s-d supercomplex. Nevertheless, unlike in acetylene, the close-energy of the two vinylidene ionic cores {sup 2}A{sub 1} and {sup 2}B{sub 1} results into two overlapped Rydberg series. These Rydberg series exhibit local perturbations when an accidental degeneracy occurs between them and results in avoided crossings. In addition, some Δl = 1 (s-p and p-d) mixings arise for some Rydberg states and are rationalized in term of electrostatic interaction from the electric dipole moment of the ionic core. The strongest dipole moment of the {sup 2}B{sub 1} cationic state also stabilizes the lowest members of the n = 3 Rydberg series converging to this excited state, as compared to the adjacent series converging toward the {sup 2}A{sub 1} ionic ground state. The overall energies of vinylidene Rydberg states lie above their acetylene counterpart. Finally, predictions for optical transitions in singlet vinylidene are suggested for further experimental spectroscopic characterization of vinylidene.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Wave-packet manipulation of He Rydberg states by a seeded free-electron laser

We report a two-dimensional pump-control-probe spectroscopic study of the dynamics of singly excited He Rydberg-state wave packets with a seeded extreme ultraviolet (XUV) free-electron laser (FEL) source. A pair of coherent XUV pulses, defined by their coarse time separation and relative phase, created and manipulated the wave packets. The He atoms were postionized by infrared (IR) pulses, and the ion yield was measured as a function of XUV phase and IR arrival time. We tagged and sorted the relative phase of the XUV pulse pair on a single-shot basis by fitting each FEL spectrum with a suitable function that accounts for nonidealities of the XUV pulse pairs, associated with the seeding process; more generally, the fit returns the time-dependent electric field of the FEL spectra. The experimental two-dimensional maps of ion yields, measured as a function of IR (probe) delay and of XUV (pump-control) phase, were compared with the solution of the first-order time-dependent Schrödinger equation for this field. Despite the fact that the experimental conditions imply strong excitation, beyond the approximations of first-order perturbation theory, the simulated map satisfactorily reproduces the experimental one for temporally well-separated pulses. We show that by selecting data at appropriate values of pump-control phase, we enhance or suppress the amplitude of chosen wave-packet components consisting of two or more Rydberg states. When the temporal overlap of the pulse pair cannot be neglected, the phase reconstruction is underdetermined, and we provide a simplified comparison between data and simulations. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Dumergue, Mathieu (ORCID:0000000236984406)↗

Xe{sub 2} gerade Rydberg states observed in the afterglow of a microplasma by laser spectroscopy of a{sup 3}Σ{sub u}{sup +}(1{sub u},O{sub u}{sup −}) absorption in the green (545–555 nm) and near-infrared (675–800 nm)

Bound←bound transitions of the Xe dimer at small internuclear separation (R < 4.0 Å) have been observed in the 545–555 nm and 675–800 nm spectral regions by laser spectroscopy in the afterglow of a pulsed Xe microplasma with a volume of ∼160 nl. Transient suppression of Xe{sub 2} A{sup 1}Σ{sub u}{sup +}(O{sub u}{sup +})→X{sup 1}Σ{sub g}{sup +}(O{sub g}{sup +}) emission in the vacuum ultraviolet (∼172 nm), induced by laser excitation of Ω{sub g}←a{sup 3}Σ{sub u}{sup +}(1{sub u},O{sub u}{sup −}) [Rydberg←Rydberg] transitions of the molecule, has confirmed the existence of structure between 720 and 770 nm (reported by Killeen and Eden [J. Chem. Phys. 84, 6048 (1986)]) but also reveals red-degraded vibrational bands extending to wavelengths beyond 800 nm. Spectral simulations based on calculations of Franck-Condon factors for assumed Ω{sub g}←a{sup 3}Σ{sub u}{sup +} transitions involving Ω = 0{sup ±},1 gerade Rydberg states suggest that the upper level primarily responsible for the observed spectrum is an Ω = 1 state correlated, in the separated atom limit, with Xe(5p{sup 6} {sup 1}S{sub 0}) + Xe(5p{sup 5} 6p) and built on a predominantly A{sup 2}Π{sub 3/2g} molecular ion core. Specifically, the spectroscopic constants for the upper state of the 1{sub g}←1{sub u},O{sub u}{sup ±} absorptive transitions are determined to be T{sub e} = 13 000 ± 150 cm{sup −1}, ω{sub e}{sup ′}=120±10 cm{sup −1}, ω{sub e}{sup ′}x{sub e}{sup ′}=1.1±0.4 cm{sup −1}, D{sub e} = 3300 ± 300 cm{sup −1}, and ΔR{sub e}=R{sub e}{sup ′}−R{sub e}{sup ″}=0.3±0.1 Å which are in general agreement with the theoretical predictions of the pseudopotential hole-particle formalism, developed by Jonin and Spiegelmann [J. Chem. Phys. 117, 3059 (2002)], for both the (5)1{sub g} and (3)O{sub g}{sup +} states of Xe{sub 2}. These spectra exhibit the most extensive vibrational development, and provide evidence for the first molecular core-switching transition, observed to date for any of the rare gas dimers at small R (<4 Ǻ). Experiments in the green (545–555 nm) also provide improved absorption spectra, relative to data reported in 1986 and 1999, associated with Xe{sub 2} Rydberg states derived from the Xe(7p) orbital.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Self-interaction corrected density functional calculations of Rydberg states of molecular clusters: N,N-dimethylisopropylamine

Theoretical calculations of Rydberg excited states of molecular clusters consisting of N,N-dimethylisopropylamine molecules using a Perdew-Zunger self-interaction corrected energy functional are presented and compared with results of resonant multiphoton ionization measurements. The binding energy of the Rydberg electron in the monomer is calculated to be 2.79 eV and 2.27 eV in the 3s and 3p state, respectively, which compares well with measured values of 2.88 eV and 2.21 eV. Three different stable configurations of the dimer in the ground state were found using an energy functional that includes van der Waals interaction. The lowest ground state energy conformation has the two N-atoms widely separated, by 6.2 Å, while the Rydberg state energy is lowest for a configuration where the N-atoms of the two molecules come close together, separated by 3.7 Å. This conformational change is found to lower the Rydberg electron binding energy by 0.2 eV. The self-interaction corrected functional gives a highly localized hole on one of the two molecules, unlike results obtained using the PBE functional or the hybrid B3LYP functional which give a delocalized hole. For the trimer, the self-interaction corrected calculation gives a Rydberg electron binding energy lowered further by 0.13 eV as compared with the dimer. The calculated results compare well with trends observed in experimental measurements. The reduction of the Rydberg electron binding energy with cluster size can be ascribed to an effective delocalization of the positive charge of the hole by the induced and permanent dipole moments of the neighboring molecules. A further decrease observed to occur on a time scale of tens of ps can be ascribed to a structural rearrangement of the clusters in the Rydberg state where molecules rotate to orient their dipoles in response to the formation of the localized hole.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Mapping Rydberg States of H 2 with the Halfium R-Matrix Method

In this article, we use the Halfium R-matrix method to investigate the Rydberg states of the H 2 molecule up to n = 20, filling the gap above the low-lying bound states already calculated with configuration interaction packages. Moreover, we show that the use of Quantum Defect Theory scaling laws, allows for a comprehensive analysis of the regular patterns resulting from the coupling between Rydberg series and doubly excited states. The results should open the door for more efficient quasi-diabatization of the potential energy curves which is required for calculating cross sections and rate coefficients of the (e + H 2 + ) collisional processes, involved in the plasma modeling for fusion devices.

70 PLASMA PHYSICS AND FUSION TECHNOLOGY↗

Angular momentum distribution in Rydberg states excited by a strong laser pulse

We study the excitation to Rydberg states in the interaction of the hydrogen atom with a short, strong laser pulse. Utilizing solutions of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation we find that the parity of the populated angular momentum states agrees with the selection rules for multiphoton resonant absorption at low intensities, if the pulse length is not too short. In contrast, the parity effect cannot be observed for ultrashort pulses as well as for long pulses at high intensities. Here, we further identify signatures of the population in the excited states via the line emissions from the populated np states after the end of the pulse exhibiting the parity effect.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Photoexcitation of n 305 Rydberg States in the Presence of an rf Drive Field

The response of highly excited potassium Rydberg states with n 305 to a sinusoidal electric drive field in the radio frequency (100 300 MHz) regime is examined by photoexcitation from the 4s ground state using a uv probe beam. The drive field couples many Rydberg levels simultaneously and results in a coherent response that leads to a variety of multiphoton processes. The excitation spectra are analyzed within the framework of Floquet theory and reveal signatures of quantum optical phenomena such as electromagnetically induced transparency and Autler-Townes splitting seen with few-level systems.

Yoshida, S↗

Far infrared stimulated emission from the ns and nf Rydberg states of NO

We report directional far-infrared emission from the {upsilon}= 0 vibrational levels of the 9s{sigma}, 10s{sigma}, 11s{sigma}, 9f, and 10f Rydberg states of NO in the gas phase. The emission around 28 and 19 {mu}m from the 9f state was identified as the downward 9f{yields} 8g and subsequent 8g{yields} 7f cascade transitions, respectively. The emission around 38 and 40 {mu}m from the 10f state was identified as the 10f{yields} 9g and 10f{yields} 9d{sigma}{pi} transition, respectively. Following the excitation of the 9s{sigma}, 10s{sigma}, and 11s{sigma} states, the emission around 40, 60, and 83 {mu}m was assigned as the 9s{sigma}{yields} 8p{sigma}, 10s{sigma}{yields} 9p{sigma}, and 11s{sigma}{yields} 10p{sigma} transitions, respectively. In addition to these emission systems originated from the laser-prepared levels, we found the emission bands from the 8f, 9f, and 10f states which are located energetically above the 9s{sigma}, 10s{sigma}, and 11s{sigma} states, respectively. This observation suggests that the upward 8f Leftwards-Arrow 9s{sigma}, 9f Leftwards-Arrow 10s{sigma}, and 10f Leftwards-Arrow 11s{sigma} optical excitation occurs. Since the energy differences between nf and (n+ 1)s{sigma} states correspond to the wavelength longer than 100 {mu}m, the absorption of blackbody radiation is supposed to be essential for these upward transitions.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Spectroscopy of Rydberg states in erbium using electromagnetically induced transparency

We present a study of the Rydberg spectrum in 166 Er for series connected to the 4 f 12 ( 3 H 6 )6s, J c = 13/2 and J c = 11/2 ionic core states using an all-optical detection based on electromagnetically induced transparency in an effusive atomic beam. Identifying approximately 550 individual states, we find good agreement with a multi-channel quantum defect theory (MQDT) which allows assignment of most states to ns or nd Rydberg series. We provide an improved accuracy for the lowest two ionization thresholds to E IP, J c =13/2 = 49260:750(1) cm -1 and E IP, J c =11/2 = 49701:184(1) cm -1 as well as the corresponding quantum defects for all observed series. We identify Rydberg states in five different isotopes, and states between the two lowest ionization thresholds. Our results open the way for future applications of Rydberg states for quantum simulation using erbium and exploiting its special open-shell structure.

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS↗

Interatomic interactions and thermally induced shifts and broadenings of energy levels of atoms in circular Rydberg states

Analytical expressions are obtained for the constants determining the energy of the long-range (at large distances exceeding the LeRoy radius R{sub LR} ≈ 4n{sup 2}) polarisation interaction of the multipole electric moments of two atoms in identical Rydberg states with large principal (n) and maximum orbital (l) and magnetic (m) quantum numbers (|m| = l = n − 1). Asymptotic expansions in powers of n are found for the components of the van der Waals interaction tensor, which determine the dependence of the dispersion energy on the orientation of the interatomic axis. The spontaneous and thermally induced broadenings of the energy levels of circular states are represented analytically as functions of the principal quantum number and temperature. It is found that analytical formulae for the sum of spontaneous and thermally induced line widths in the region of high temperatures and large principal quantum numbers (assuming n{sup 3}k{sub B}T >> 1) do not contain a temperature-independent contribution of the spontaneous part of the broadening. Closed analytical expressions are also obtained for the Farley − Wing function and for the n- and T-dependent corrections to the asymptotic behaviour of the thermally induced shift. (paper)

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗