Electric-field ionisation of laser-excited Rydberg atoms in a magnetic field

N. L.S. Martin, K. B. MacAdam

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

A weak magnetic field has been found to have a pronounced effect on the selective field ionisation (SFI) of Rydberg atoms. Field ionisation quantum beats have been observed from coherently excited sodium 30d2D 3/2 Zeeman levels. Both pi laser excitation and SFI took place in a magnetic field of approximately 0.3 G. The time evolution of the Zeeman levels leads to the observation of SFI traces that range between those seen for pi and sigma laser excitation in zero magnetic field. Good agreement is found between theory and experiment, except for the depth of modulation of the quantum beats, which is less than the theoretical value.

Original languageEnglish
Article number005
Pages (from-to)2435-2442
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Physics B: Atomic and Molecular Physics
Volume19
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - 1986

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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