Perturbed Field Ionization for Improved State Selectivity

Vincent C. Gregoric, Jason Bennett, Bianca R Gualtieri, Hannah P. Hastings, Ankitha Kannad, Zhimin Cheryl Liu, Maia R. Rabinowitz, Zoe A Rowley, Maio Wang, Lauren Yoast, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

OAI: oai:digitalcommons.ursinus.edu:physics_astro_fac-1011

Selective field ionization (SFI) is used to determine the state or distribution of states to which a Rydberg atom is excited. By evolving a small perturbation to the ramped electric field using a genetic algorithm, the shape of the time-resolved ionization signal can be controlled. This allows for the separation of signals from pairs of states that would be indistinguishable with unperturbed SFI. Measurements and calculations are presented that demonstrate this technique and shed light on how the perturbation directs the pathway of the electron to ionization. Pseudocode for the genetic algorithm is provided. Using the improved resolution afforded by this technique, quantitative measurements of the 36p3/2 + 36p3/2 --> 36s1/2 + 37s1/2 dipole-dipole interaction are made.

Rydberg quantum control Dipole-Dipole genetic algorithm field ionization ultracold Stark effect Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics