Dipole-dipole Resonance Line Shapes in a Cold Rydberg Gas

ORAL

Abstract

We have explored the dipole-dipole mediated, resonant energy transfer reaction $32p_{3/2}+32p_{3/2} \rightarrow 32s+33s$ in an ensemble of cold $^{85}$Rb Rydberg atoms. Stark tuning is used to measure the population transfer probability as a function of the total electronic energy difference between the initial and final atom-pair states over a range of Rydberg densities of $2 \times 10^{8} \leq \rho \leq 4 \times 10^{9}$ cm$^{-3}$. The observed line shapes provide information on the role of beyond nearest-neighbor interactions, the range of the Rydberg atom separations, atom motion, and the electric field inhomogeneity in the sample. For short interaction times, the line-widths increase approximately linearly with Rydberg atom density and are in agreement with expectations from a two-body, nearest-neighbor interaction model. At low densities, Gaussian line shapes are observed due to electric field inhomogeneities, providing an upper limit for the field variation across the sample. At higher densities, non-Lorentzian, cusp-like line shapes characterized by sharp central peaks and broad wings reflect the random distribution of inter-atomic distances within the magneto-optical trap (MOT).

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Authors

  • B. G. Richards

    The University of Virginia

  • Jonathan Tan

    Duquesne University, Baker Hughes, Hampton University, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute, Texas Christian University, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Austin Peay State University, Virginia Military Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University of Virginia, Washington University, National Institute for Materials Science, Japan, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, Univ of Kentucky, Argonne National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Univ of Virginia, James Madison University, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, High Point University, Department of Chemistry, High Point University, Department of Physics, James Madison University, Department of Physics & Astronomy, Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, Institute of Renewable Energy and Environment Technology, University of Bolton, Bolton, UK, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, Ames Laboratory, US Dept. of Energy, Ames, IA, Lehigh University, University of Pardubice, Universite de Rennes, Jan Dlugosz University, Translume, NSCL/FRIB, Duke University, University of Massachusetts - Amherst, University of St. Andrews, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, University of Florida, Yale University, None, Georgia College & State Univ, Georgia College & State University, National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Univ of Tennessee Space Inst, The University of Virginia, Chiang Mai University, DHA Suffa University, Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice, Pardubice, Czech Republic, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Austin Peay State University, Clarksville, TN, United States, George Mason University, Northern Virginia Community College, Department of Physics, University of Virginia, Istanbul University, Georgia College and State University, University of Houston, Western Kentucky Univ, James Madison University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Pontifica Universidad Catolica de Chile, Trent University, Univ of Arizona, Ohio State University, NRAO, University of Virginia/NRAO