Description
Long-range Rydberg molecules are molecules in highly-excited electronic states where the binding results from the scattering of an almost free electron of a neutral atom within its orbit. In our lab, we have in recent years developed a detailed experimental and theoretical understanding of the binding in homo- and heteronuclear long-range Rydberg molecules [1]. Our experimental techniques include high-resolution photoassociation and millimeter-wave spectroscopy in ultracold atomic mixture spectroscopy. A novel, especially insightful tool is photodissociation spectroscopy of long-range Rydberg molecules, which allows for a tomographic characterization of the molecular electronic and vibrational state [2].
In this presentation I will focus on our recent progress towards the creation of an ultracold plasma consisting of Cs$^+$ ions and Cs$^-$ ions [3]. Our experimental route starts with the photoassociation of long-range Rydberg molecules from an ultracold gas of ground-state atoms using a single-photon UV excitation. These molecules are then deexcited to ion-pair states, also called heavy Rydberg molecules, by nanosecond-long pulses from a mir-IR laser. Products are characterized by time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The dense gas of ultracold molecules in ion-pair states forms an ideal starting point to form an ultracold neutral plasma, e.g. by RF dissociation.
[1] M. Peper and J. Deiglmayr, Heteronuclear Long-Range Rydberg Molecules, Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 013001 (2021)
[2] M. Peper and J. Deiglmayr, Photodissociation of Long-Range Rydberg Molecules, Phys. Rev. A 102, 062819 (2020)
[3] M. Peper and J. Deiglmayr, Formation of Ultracold Ion Pairs through Long-Range Rydberg Molecules, J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 53, 064001 (2020)
| Presenter name | Johannes Deiglmayr |
|---|---|
| How will you attend ICAP-27? | I am planning on in-person attendance |
