Driving Alkali Rydberg Transitions with a Phase-Modulated Optical Lattice

Area of Science:

• Atomic Physics
• Quantum Optics
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Rydberg atoms are highly excited atoms with unique properties.
• Spectroscopy of Rydberg-Rydberg transitions is crucial for quantum technologies.
• Existing methods for probing these transitions have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a novel spectroscopic method for Rydberg-Rydberg transitions.
• To utilize the ponderomotive interaction for less restrictive selection rules.
• To access microwave frequency ranges (40-70 GHz) using optical modulators.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a phase-controlled and modulated standing-wave laser field.
• Employing the ponderomotive (A^2) interaction of Rydberg electrons.
• Using third- and fourth-order subharmonic drives with optical phase modulators in the Ku band.

Main Results:

• Successful probing of nS_{1/2}→nP_{1/2} and nS_{1/2}→(n+1)S_{1/2} transitions.
• Accessing Rydberg transitions in the 40-70 GHz range without increased laser power.
• Achieving Doppler-free components with linewidths under 200 kHz.
• Measurements show good agreement with developed theoretical models.

Conclusions:

• The developed spectroscopic method offers a powerful tool for high-precision measurements.
• This technique enables optical Doppler-free spectroscopy of Rydberg-Rydberg transitions.
• It paves the way for spatially selective qubit manipulation in quantum simulators and computers.