Experimental studies of cesium Rydberg atom pair interactions
Posted on:2010-05-04
Degree:Ph.D
Type:Thesis
University:The University of Oklahoma
Candidate:Overstreet, Kim Richard, II
Full Text:PDF
GTID:2440390002479100
Subject:Physics
Abstract/Summary:
This thesis describes experimental studies of Rydberg atom pair interactions. A new technique is described that combines trapping of ultracold Cesium atoms with Rydberg tagging time-of-flight spectroscopy to attain a velocity resolution of 2.5 cm/s. Using this technique, observed molecular resonances in Cesium spectra are characterized as either dissociating photo-initiated collision processes or bound long range Rydberg atom-Rydberg atom molecules called macrodimers.