State resolved investigation of F\"orster resonant energy transfer in collisions between polar molecules and Rydberg atoms

TL;DR

This study thoroughly examines F"orster resonant energy transfer between ammonia molecules and rubidium Rydberg atoms at room temperature, revealing detailed state, pressure, and resonance dependencies to inform future quantum experiments.

Contribution

It provides the first fully state-resolved measurement of energy transfer in a thermal mixture of polar molecules and Rydberg atoms, using novel millimeter-wave and field ionization techniques.

Findings

Energy transfer depends on state, pressure, and resonance conditions.

State-resolved populations enable detailed understanding of transfer mechanisms.

Results facilitate future quantum experiments with polar molecules and Rydberg atoms.

Abstract

We perform a comprehensive investigation of F\"orster resonant energy transfer in a room-temperature thermal mixture of ammonia molecules and rubidium Rydberg atoms. Fully state-resolved measurement of the Rydberg-atom populations is achieved by combining millimeter-wave state transfer with state-selective field ionization. This allows aspects of the energy transfer process such as state dependence, ammonia pressure dependence, and dependence on the energy resonance condition to be investigated in detail. Our results pave the way for future quantum experiments combining polar molecules and Rydberg atoms.