Abstract
We study the guiding of Rb 59 Rydberg atoms in a linear, high-gradient, two-wire magnetic guide. Time-delayed microwave ionization and ion detection are used to probe the Rydberg atom motion. We observe guiding of Rydberg atoms over a period of 5 ms following excitation. The decay time of the guided-atom signal is about five times that of the initial state. We attribute the lifetime increase to an initial phase of -changing collisions and thermally induced Rydberg-Rydberg transitions. Detailed simulations of Rydberg-atom guiding reproduce most experimental observations and offer insight into the internal-state evolution.
- Received 3 February 2012
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.86.023414
©2012 American Physical Society