Geometric phase in anisotropic Kepler problem: Perspective for realization in Rydberg atoms

TL;DR

This paper predicts a gyroscopic geometric phase effect in Rydberg atoms with anisotropic Kepler dynamics, demonstrating a potential experimental realization of a Foucault pendulum-like rotation in atomic systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel prediction of a geometric phase effect in Rydberg atoms under anisotropic conditions, bridging atomic physics and classical gyroscopic phenomena.

Findings

Theoretical prediction of a gyroscopic effect in Rydberg atoms.

Analogous behavior to Foucault pendulum demonstrated in atomic systems.

Potential for experimental observation within microsecond to millisecond timescales.

Abstract

We predict a gyroscopic effect that can be demonstrated with Rydberg atoms following the dynamics of a Kepler Hamiltonian with an additional uniaxial anisotropy induced by optical ponderomotive force. This effect is analogous to the rotation of the Foucault pendulum in response to the Earth's rotation. We argue that in Rydberg states with a large principal quantum number a similar geometric angle can be generated by mechanical rotations of an atomic-optical setup on time scales between $1~\mu$s and $1~$ms.