Apparatus for excitation and detection of Rydberg atoms in quantum gases

TL;DR

This paper introduces a versatile experimental setup for exciting and detecting Rydberg atoms in quantum gases, featuring advanced detection and manipulation capabilities applicable to various atomic species.

Contribution

The paper presents a novel experimental apparatus with integrated detectors and electric field controls for Rydberg atom studies in quantum gases, enhancing experimental flexibility.

Findings

Successful production of Bose-Einstein condensates.

Effective excitation of Rydberg states.

Reliable detection of Rydberg atoms via field ionization.

Abstract

We present and characterize a versatile experimental setup which allows for excitation and detection of Rydberg atoms in quantum gases. The novel concept of the setup features two charged particle detectors and eight electrical field plates inside the vacuum chamber, which allows the detection and manipulation of Rydberg atoms. The setup presented here is applicable to all atomic species used in the field of quantum gases. We describe and characterize the production of Bose-Einstein condensates, the excitation scheme into Rydberg states, the detection of Rydberg states by field ionization followed by ion detection and the various electric field configurations provided by the eight field plates.