Trap-loss spectroscopy of Rydberg states in ytterbium

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a simpler trap loss spectroscopy method to study Rydberg states in ytterbium, providing data on polarizabilities for high principal quantum numbers, which could streamline future atomic physics research.

Contribution

The study introduces trap loss spectroscopy for Rydberg states in ytterbium, offering an easier alternative to traditional ionization methods and measuring polarizabilities.

Findings

Successful application of trap loss spectroscopy to Rydberg states in ytterbium.

Determination of scalar and tensor electric polarizabilities for high-n Rydberg states.

Simplification of Rydberg state measurement techniques.

Abstract

We present an experimental study of the Rydberg $^1S_0$- and $^1P_1$- series of ytterbium for principal quantum numbers in the range of $n=70$ to $90$. The study is performed using trap loss spectroscopy in a magneto-optical trap operating on the $6^1S_0 \rightarrow 6^1P_1$ transition at $399\,\text{nm}$. Compared to the commonly used Rydberg spectroscopy method using field-ionization and ion detection, trap loss spectroscopy is significantly simpler and requires a less sophisticated experimental setup. Using this method we determine relative values of the scalar and tensor electric polarizabilities of both, $6sns\,^1S_0$- and $6snp\,^1P_1$- Rydberg states.