The following article is Open access

Absolute frequency measurements of 85RbnF7/2 Rydberg states using purely optical detection

, , , and

Published 15 June 2010 Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd
, , Citation L A M Johnson et al 2010 New J. Phys. 12 063028 DOI 10.1088/1367-2630/12/6/063028

1367-2630/12/6/063028

Abstract

A three-step laser excitation scheme is used to make absolute frequency measurements of highly excited nF7/2 Rydberg states in 85Rb for principal quantum numbers n=33–100. This work demonstrates the first absolute frequency measurements of rubidium Rydberg levels using a purely optical detection scheme. The Rydberg states are excited in a heated Rb vapour cell and Doppler-free signals are detected via purely optical means. All of the frequency measurements are made using a wavemeter that is calibrated against a Global Positioning System (GPS)-disciplined self-referenced optical frequency comb. We find that the measured levels have a very high frequency stability, and are especially robust against electric fields. The apparatus has allowed measurements of the states to an accuracy of 8.0 MHz. The new measurements are analysed by extracting the modified Rydberg–Ritz series parameters.

Export citation and abstract BibTeX RIS

Please wait… references are loading.