Igor Ryabtsev (Rzhanov Institute of Semiconductor Physics,Novosibirsk State University)
Rydberg atoms and their applications
Highly excited Rydberg atoms with the principal quantum number n much more than 1 have many unique properties compared to low-excited atoms: large electron orbit radius (~n2), large dipole moments of transitions between neighboring states (~n2), strong long-range interactions (~n4–n11), long radiative lifetimes (~n3–n5), huge polarizabilities (~n7), etc. Laser and microwave spectroscopy of Rydberg atoms can reveal these properties by observing the quantum interference, dephasing, shifts or broadenings of various resonances in single Rydberg atoms. Single Rydberg atoms are detected using the selective field ionization technique. Control of long-range interactions between Rydberg atoms by laser and microwave radiations, as well as by external electric and magnetic fields, forms the basis for quantum information processing with neutral trapped atoms. Rydberg atoms can also be used as high-precision sensors of the dc and ac electric fields.
In this lecture we will give an overview of the methods to study and manipulate Rydberg atoms and their mesoscopic ensembles, and consider possible applications of Rydberg atoms in quantum information processing and quantum sensors. We will also present our experimental and theoretical results on laser and microwave spectroscopy of cold Rb Rydberg atoms and their many-body interactions.
