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We study Rydberg atoms in ponderomotive optical lattices. Unlike for ground-state atoms, for Rydberg atoms in an optical lattice the extent of the electronic wave-function can approach the lattice period. This leads to state-dependent adiabatic trapping potentials that are unique to Rydberg atoms. In the first part of this talk, we discuss a theoretical model of adiabatic lattice potentials of Rydberg atoms. In the second part, we use microwave spectroscopy to experimentally demonstrate and investigate the state-dependence of the adiabatic potentials of S1/2 Rydberg states of rubidium. The observed microwave spectra depend strongly on both the principal quantum number and the depth of the lattice. A semi-classical simulation is used to interpret the features seen in the microwave spectra. A fraction of the Rydberg atoms are trapped in the ponderomotive optical lattice.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/05/100506141638.htm |
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