Anisotropic interactions in electric field polarized ultracold Rydberg gases

Author(s)

Jahangiri, Akbar ^[1] ; Shaffer, James P. ^[1] ; Goncalves, Luis Felipe ^[2] ; Marcassa, Luis Gustavo ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Univ Oklahoma, Homer L Dodge Dept Phys & Astron, 440 W Brooks St, Norman, OK 73019 - USA

^[2] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Fas Sao Carlos, Caixa Postal 369, BR-13560970 Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF PHYSICS B-ATOMIC MOLECULAR AND OPTICAL PHYSICS; v. 53, n. 1 JAN 14 2020.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

We calculate pair potential curves for interacting Rydberg atoms in a constant electric field and use them to determine the effective C-3 dipole?dipole and C-6 van der Waals coefficients. We compare the C-3 and C-6 with experiments where the angle of a polarizing electric field is varied with respect to the axis of a quasi-1-dimensional trap at ultracold temperatures. The dipoles produced via polarization of the atoms have an angular dependent dipole?dipole interaction. We focus on the interaction potential of two rubidium Rydberg atoms in 50S1/2<i states in the blockade regime. For internuclear distances close to the blockade radius, R(bl)4?6 ?m, molecular calculations are in much better agreement with experimental results than those based on the properties of single atoms and independent calculations of C-3 and C-6 which were used to analyze the original experiment. We find that the calculated C-6 coefficient is within 8% of the experimental value while the C-3 coefficient is within 20% of the experimental value. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 11/22309-8 - Microstructures with cold Rydberg atoms
• Grantee: Luís Felipe Barbosa Faria Gonçalves
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 13/02816-8 - Manipulation of atomic collisions in optical traps
• Grantee: Luis Gustavo Marcassa
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants