https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2006-00140-1
Simultaneous position and state measurement of Rydberg atoms
1
Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute, University of Amsterdam, Valckenierstraat 65, 1018 XE Amsterdam, The Netherlands
2
Center for Nanophotonics, FOM Institute AMOLF, Kruislaan 407, 1098 SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Corresponding author: a cditz@science.uva.nl
Received:
6
January
2006
Revised:
12
April
2006
Published online:
21
June
2006
We present a technique for state-selective position detection of cold Rydberg atoms. Ground state Rb atoms in a magneto-optical trap are excited to a Rydberg state and are subsequently ionized with a tailored electric field pulse. This pulse selectively ionizes only atoms in e.g. the 54d state and not in the 53d state. The released electrons are detected after a slow flight towards a micro channel plate. From the time of flight of the electrons the position of the atoms is deduced. The state selectivity is about 20:1 when comparing 54d with 53d and the one-dimensional position resolution ranges from 6 to 40 μm over a range of 300 μm. This state selectivity and position resolution are sufficient to allow for the observation of coherent quantum excitation transport.
PACS: 32.80.Pj – Optical cooling of atoms; trapping / 34.60.+z – Scattering in highly excited states / 32.80.Rm – Multiphoton ionization and excitation to highly excited states
© EDP Sciences, Società Italiana di Fisica, Springer-Verlag, 2006