Mechanisms for the Exchange of Energy Between a Rydberg Electron and Its Ion-Core: Free Induction Decay Detected Pure Electronic Spectroscopy

This award -- funded by the Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms (CSDM-A) Program of the Division of Chemistry -- is investigating the ways in which electrons and nuclei interact in Rydberg molecules. The ultimate goal of the work by Professor Field and his group is to develop a better understanding of the physics of molecules in which the outermost electron is barely bound to the ion-core. The team explores how energy is transferred between the weakly bound electron and the nuclei in the ion core of these interesting quantum-mechanical systems.

A series of core-nonpenetrating Rydberg molecules (BaF, CaF, NO and NO2) will be produced with low energy using a buffer gas cooled molecular beam source coupled with STIRAP (Stimulated Raman Adiabatic Passage) and/or ASTRO (Adiabatically Focused Stark-mixed Rydberg Orbitals) excitation. Intra-Rydberg transitions will be probed using Chirped Pulse mm wave Spectroscopy. Experimental results will be compared to state-of-the-art theoretical methods.