Quantum-classical model for the formation of Rydberg molecules

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum-classical model explaining how Rydberg molecules can form through atom capture outside the Rydberg atom's usual range, expanding understanding of their formation mechanisms.

Contribution

It presents a novel quantum-classical framework for Rydberg molecule formation via atom capture, incorporating dissipative finite-mass effects in the classical equations.

Findings

Capturing occurs under specific conditions identified in the model

The quantum-classical approach explains formation outside traditional ranges

Dissipative effects are crucial for the capture process

Abstract

A fascinating aspect of Rydberg atoms is their ability to form huge but very weakly bound molecules with a ground state atom, only held together by a scattering process between the latter and the Rydberg electron. Beyond the usual way of creating such molecules by laser excitation from two ground state atoms with a distance of less than the Rydberg radius, we demonstrate that Rydberg molecules can also be formed by capturing a ground state atom which is initially located outside the range of the Rydberg atom when it comes in contact with it. To demonstrate this effect, we investigate the scattering process between the Rydberg electron and the ground state atom within a quantum-classical framework. In this picture capturing results from a dissipative finite-mass correction term in the classical equations of motion. We show that and under which conditions the capturing takes place.