Research
Research Highlight
Studies on the excitation and interaction with background radiation of helium Rydberg atoms has progressed, as summarized in the recent thesis work by Xiaoxu Lu. Blackbody radiation induced ionization of Rydberg atoms has been demonstrated to be an important effect and also a useful tool. Physical separation of the Rydberg helium beam and the metastable ground state helium beam is achieved by the use of the bichromatic force and yields a precise measurement of the STIRAP efficiency of producing Rydberg atoms. The process of spontaneous decay and ionization of Rydberg atoms can also be accurately monitored.