Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Atomic Structure

Atomic Structure

Atomic Mass

Atomic Mass

Atoms — and the protons, neutrons, and electrons that compose them — are extremely small. For example, a carbon atom weighs less than 2 × 10−23 g. When describing the properties of tiny objects such as atoms, we use appropriately small units of measure, such as the atomic mass unit (amu). The amu was originally defined based on hydrogen, the lightest element, then later in terms of oxygen. Since 1961, it has been defined with regard to the most abundant isotope of carbon, atoms of which...

Atomic Orbitals

Atomic Orbitals

An atomic orbital represents the three-dimensional regions in an atom where an electron has the highest probability to reside. The radial distribution function indicates the total probability of finding an electron within the thin shell at a distance r from the nucleus. The atomic orbitals have distinct shapes which are determined by l, the angular momentum quantum number. The orbitals are often drawn with a boundary surface, enclosing densest regions of the cloud.

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

Hybridization of Atomic Orbitals I

The mathematical expression known as the wave function, ψ, contains information about each orbital and the wavelike properties of electrons in an isolated atom. When atoms are bound together in a molecule, the wave functions combine to produce new mathematical descriptions that have different shapes. This process of combining the wave functions for atomic orbitals is called hybridization and is mathematically accomplished by the linear combination of atomic orbitals. The new orbitals that...

The Energies of Atomic Orbitals

The Energies of Atomic Orbitals

In an atom, the negatively charged electrons are attracted to the positively charged nucleus. In a multielectron atom, electron-electron repulsions are also observed. The attractive and repulsive forces are dependent on the distance between the particles, as well as the sign and magnitude of the charges on the individual particles. When the charges on the particles are opposite, they attract each other. If both particles have the same charge, they repel each other.

The Atomic Theory of Matter

The Atomic Theory of Matter

The earliest recorded discussion of the basic structure of matter comes from ancient Greek philosophers. Leucippus and Democritus argued that all matter was composed of small, finite particles that they called atomos, meaning “indivisible.” Later, Aristotle and others came to the conclusion that matter consisted of various combinations of the four “elements” — fire, earth, air, and water — and could be infinitely divided. Interestingly, these philosophers...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Observation of Resonant Monopole-Dipole Energy Transfer between Rydberg Atoms and Polar Molecules.

Physical review letters·2026

Same author

Ion-dip and laser photoexcitation spectroscopy of high Rydberg states in N2.

The Journal of chemical physics·2025

Same author

Vaginal metastasis in gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: Experience from Sheffield trophoblastic disease Centre and recommendations for management.

European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology·2024

Same author

Electrostatic Trapping of N_{2} Molecules in High Rydberg States.

Physical review letters·2024

Same author

Correction: A lysosomal enigma CLN5 and its significance in understanding neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS·2024

Same author

Effects of rotational excitation on decay rates of long-lived Rydberg states in NO.

The Journal of chemical physics·2023

Same journal

Erratum: Bacterial Turbulence at Compressible Fluid Interfaces [Phys. Rev. Lett. 136, 138301 (2026)].

Physical review letters·2026

Same journal

Unveiling Light-Quark Yukawa Flavor Structure via Dihadron Fragmentation at Lepton Colliders.

Physical review letters·2026

Same journal

Adaptable Route to Fast Coherent State Transport via Bang-Bang-Bang Protocols.

Physical review letters·2026

Same journal

Topological Transition and Emergence of Elasticity of Dislocation in Skyrmion Lattice: Beyond Kittel's Magnetic-Polar Analogy.

Physical review letters·2026

Same journal

Pound-Drever-Hall Method for Superconducting-Qubit Readout.

Physical review letters·2026

Same journal

Coupling a ^{73}Ge Nuclear Spin to an Electrostatically Defined Quantum Dot in Silicon.

Physical review letters·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 21, 2026

The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry

The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry

Published on: August 12, 2013

Electric Rydberg-Atom Interferometry.

J E Palmer¹, S D Hogan¹

¹Department of Physics and Astronomy, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.

Physical Review Letters

|July 27, 2019

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Scientists created an electric analogue of the Stern-Gerlach interferometer using helium atoms in Rydberg states. This experiment demonstrated matter-wave interference by manipulating atomic momentum states with electric fields.

More Related Videos

Analyzing DNA-Protein Interactions with Streptavidin-Based Biolayer Interferometry

Analyzing DNA-Protein Interactions with Streptavidin-Based Biolayer Interferometry

Published on: January 17, 2025

Application of Biolayer Interferometry BLI for Studying Protein-Protein Interactions in Transcription

Application of Biolayer Interferometry BLI for Studying Protein-Protein Interactions in Transcription

Published on: July 26, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 21, 2026

The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry

The Generation of Higher-order Laguerre-Gauss Optical Beams for High-precision Interferometry

Published on: August 12, 2013

Analyzing DNA-Protein Interactions with Streptavidin-Based Biolayer Interferometry

Analyzing DNA-Protein Interactions with Streptavidin-Based Biolayer Interferometry

Published on: January 17, 2025

Application of Biolayer Interferometry BLI for Studying Protein-Protein Interactions in Transcription

Application of Biolayer Interferometry BLI for Studying Protein-Protein Interactions in Transcription

Published on: July 26, 2019

Area of Science:

Atomic physics
Quantum optics
Matter-wave interferometry

Background:

The Stern-Gerlach experiment is a foundational demonstration of quantum mechanics.
Atom interferometry allows precise measurements of fundamental constants and forces.
Rydberg atoms, with high principal quantum numbers, exhibit strong interactions and are sensitive to external fields.

Purpose of the Study:

To realize an electric analogue of the longitudinal Stern-Gerlach matter-wave interferometer.
To demonstrate matter-wave interference using Rydberg atoms and electric fields.
To explore the manipulation of atomic momentum states for interferometric applications.

Main Methods:

Utilized helium atoms prepared in coherent superpositions of circular Rydberg states (n=55, n=56).
Employed a Hahn-echo microwave pulse sequence combined with pulsed inhomogeneous electric fields.
Applied resonant microwave radiation (π/2 and π pulses) to control internal atomic states.
Used pulsed electric field gradients to manipulate atomic momentum and create spatially separated matter waves.

Main Results:

Successfully generated two spatially separated matter waves from helium Rydberg atoms.
Observed interference between these matter waves as oscillations in final Rydberg state populations.
Demonstrated control over atomic momentum superposition and evolution using electric field pulses.

Conclusions:

The electric analogue of the Stern-Gerlach interferometer for Rydberg atoms is experimentally realized.
This technique provides a new platform for studying quantum phenomena and precision measurements.
The results highlight the potential of Rydberg atoms in advanced atom interferometry schemes.