Hybridization of Rydberg electron orbitals by molecule formation

TL;DR

This paper explores how controlled degeneracy in Rydberg molecules enhances orbital hybridization, resulting in stronger binding and altered symmetry, advancing understanding of ultralong-range molecular interactions.

Contribution

It demonstrates that controlled degeneracy maximizes orbital backaction, leading to hybridization of Rydberg electron orbitals in ultralong-range molecules.

Findings

Degeneracy increases binding energies.

Orbital hybridization alters molecular symmetry.

Backaction effects are enhanced by degeneracy.

Abstract

The formation of ultralong-range Rydberg molecules is a result of the attractive interaction between Rydberg electron and polarizable ground state atom in an ultracold gas. In the nondegenerate case the backaction of the polarizable atom on the electronic orbital is minimal. Here we demonstrate, how controlled degeneracy of the respective electronic orbitals maximizes this backaction and leads to stronger binding energies and lower symmetry of the bound dimers. Consequently, the Rydberg orbitals hybridize due to the molecular bond.