For studies of the properties of high Rydberg states of atoms and molecules, my group has contributed to the development of narrow-band, broadly tunable radiation sources in the vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV, = 60-200 nm) and THz (0.1 � 10 THz) ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum. With these sources, we seek to obtain a complete understanding of the structure and dynamics of Rydberg states of atoms and molecules in the range of principal quantum number n between 10 and 200. To reach this goal, we systematically compare the results of high-resolution spectroscopic measurements with theoretical predictions by multichannel quantum defect theory. The lecture will present the results of our most recent investigations of the Rydberg spectrum of Xe atoms, of molecular hydrogen, and of ultracold Cs atoms. At high resolution, the spectra of these systems provide information on the hyperfine structure of Rydberg states and its dependence on the principal quantum number n, and also on the interactions between the Rydberg atoms and molecules and neighboring atoms in the gas samples.

High-resolution spectroscopy of Rydberg states of atoms and molecules in the VUV and THz ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum

245th National Meeting (2013)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.