Mean-field energy-level shifts and dielectric properties of strongly polarized Rydberg gases

TL;DR

This study investigates how strong electrostatic interactions in polarized helium Rydberg gases cause energy-level shifts and influence dielectric properties, using microwave spectroscopy and Monte Carlo simulations.

Contribution

It provides experimental measurements and theoretical analysis of energy shifts and dielectric behavior in strongly polarized Rydberg gases at high principal quantum numbers.

Findings

Energy-level shifts depend on dipole interactions and neighbor distributions.

Dielectric properties emerge due to strong polarization effects.

Microwave spectra reflect macroscopic electrical properties.

Abstract

Mean-field energy-level shifts arising as a result of strong electrostatic dipole interactions within dilute gases of polarized helium Rydberg atoms have been probed by microwave spectroscopy. The Rydberg states studied had principal quantum numbers $n=70$ and 72, and electric dipole moments of up to 14050 D, and were prepared in pulsed supersonic beams at particle number densities on the order of $10^{8}$ cm$^{-3}$. Comparisons of the experimental data with the results of Monte Carlo calculations highlight effects of the distribution of nearest-neighbor spacings in the pulsed supersonic beams, and the dielectric properties of the strongly polarized Rydberg gases, on the microwave spectra. These observations reflect the emergence of macroscopic electrical properties of the atomic samples when strongly polarized.