Perturbed Field Ionization for Improved State Selectivity

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method using a genetic algorithm to perturb field ionization in Rydberg atoms, significantly enhancing state selectivity and enabling precise measurements of dipole-dipole interactions.

Contribution

The work presents a new technique that controls ionization pathways via perturbations optimized by a genetic algorithm, improving state resolution in Rydberg atom measurements.

Findings

Enhanced separation of indistinguishable states

Quantitative measurement of dipole-dipole interactions

Demonstration of control over ionization pathways

Abstract

Selective field ionization is used to determine the state or distribution of states to which a Rydberg atom is excited. By evolving a small perturbation to the ramped electric field using a genetic algorithm, the shape of the time-resolved ionization signal can be controlled. This allows for separation of signals from pairs of states that would be indistinguishable with unperturbed selective field ionization. Measurements and calculations are presented that demonstrate this technique and shed light on how the perturbation directs the pathway of the electron to ionization. Pseudocode for the genetic algorithm is provided. Using the improved resolution afforded by this technique, quantitative measurements of the $36p_{3/2}+36p_{3/2}\rightarrow 36s_{1/2}+37s_{1/2}$ dipole-dipole interaction are made.