"Photoionization of Spin-Polarized Rydberg Atoms Out of a Continuous Wa" by Kevin Lee Romans
 

Doctoral Dissertations

Keywords and Phrases

Atomic Physics; Lithium; Momentum Spectroscopy; Photoelectron Angular Distribution; Photoionization; Rydberg Atoms

Abstract

"Recent research has demonstrated the need for a fully differential experiment on the photoionization of 6Li Rydberg atoms in a continuous wave (cw) laser field, as this would provide a new path forward for studying never before accessible atom-light interactions. Rydberg atoms are back in the focus of intense research due to their peculiar properties, which make them interesting candidates for quantum optics and information applications. In this work, we study the ionization of such Rydberg atoms, due to their interaction with a trapping laser field, by utilizing a reaction microscope (ReMi) capable of measuring photoelectron momentum distributions with world-class resolutions. Reaction microscopes are powerful tools when brandished against atomic photoionization processes involving pulsed lasers; the timing tied to each pulse is crucial in solving the ensuing equations of motion for the atomic fragments released into the spectrometer's extraction fields. However, when used in pump-probe schemes relying on a cw-probe laser, vital information linked to the time of flight is lost. This study reports on a new method in which the standard ReMi technique is extended in time, accommodating cw-mode probes through the redundant information contained in the coincidence measurements of fragment pairs. This is then applied to the photoionization of 6Li atoms initially prepared in optically pumped, or spin-polarized, 22S1/2 ground and 22P3/2 excited states. Multi-photon excitation is then induced from a tunable-mode femtosecond laser source in order to produce Rydberg atoms inside an overlapped infrared optical dipole trap (ODT). The angular emission structure and state population dynamics, from the resulting cascade-decay back towards the ground state is measured, analyzed, and discussed. Within the first few sections, a brief history of atomic physics is provided as well as an elementary exposition of the quantum theory used during the experimental trials. These are followed by two experimental sections that discuss the characterization of the atomic target and the optimization of the momentum spectrometer done in preparation for the subsequent main Rydberg study"-- Abstract, p. iv

Advisor(s)

Fischer, Daniel

Committee Member(s)

Graham, Joseph T.
Schulz, Michael, 1959-
Vojta, Thomas
Jentschura, Ulrich D.

Department(s)

Physics

Degree Name

Ph. D. in Physics

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Spring 2025

Pagination

xiv, 188 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes_bibliographical_references_(pages 178-187)

Rights

©2023 Kevin Lee Romans , All Rights Reserved

Document Type

Dissertation - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 12487

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