Negative Ions from Ultracold Rydberg Atoms

POSTER

Abstract

We describe experiments looking for negative ions produced by ultracold Rb Rydberg atoms interacting with ground-state atoms. Starting with Rb atoms in a MOT, we excite a fraction of them to \textit{np} Rydberg states by use of a single UV photon at 297 nm. After a variable delay, we field ionize the sample with a high-voltage pulse and extract the negative charges, then detect them with to a discrete-dynode electron multiplier with single ion sensitivity. Negative ions are well separated in time-of-flight from the large number of electrons resulting from the field ionization. Similar measurements are being performed starting with an ultracold plasma instead of a Rydberg sample. We will also describe progress towards experiments involving direct excitation to high-lying states of the ion pair Rb$^{+}$-Rb$^{-}$.

Authors

  • M. Ascoli

    University of Connecticut

  • L. Aldridge

    University of Connecticut

  • D.M. Karpov

    University of Connecticut

  • E.E. Eyler

    University of Connecticut, Department of Physics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269, USA, University of Connecticut Department of Physics

  • P.L. Gould

    Department of Physics, Universtiy of Connecticut, University of Connecticut