Precision measurements of quantum defects in the $n$P$_{3/2}$ Rydberg States of ${}^{85}$Rb

TL;DR

This paper reports precise measurements of the absolute frequencies of Rydberg P$_{3/2}$ states in ${}^{85}$Rb for principal quantum numbers 36 to 63, crucial for quantum experiments involving strong dipole interactions.

Contribution

The study provides highly accurate frequency measurements of Rydberg states using calibrated laser spectroscopy, improving measurement precision over previous data.

Findings

Absolute frequencies measured with 1 MHz uncertainty.

Calibration against a frequency comb ensures high accuracy.

Data supports improved quantum control in Rydberg-based experiments.

Abstract

Rydberg States are used in our One Atom Maser experiment because they offer a large dipole moment and couple strongly to low numbers of microwave photons in a high Q cavity. Here we report the absolute frequencies of the P$_{3/2}$ states for principal quantum numbers $n=36$ to $n=63$. These measurements were made with a three step laser excitation scheme. A wavemeter was calibrated against a frequency comb to provide accurate absolute frequency measurements over the entire range, reducing the measurement uncertainty to 1MHz. We compare the spectroscopic results with known frequency measurements as a test of measurement accuracy.