Rubidium Ionic Core Polarization and Non-Adiabatic Correction Using RF and Microwave Spectroscopy of Rydberg States

Author: ORCID icon orcid.org/0000-0003-1442-8406
Berl, Seth, Physics - Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Virginia
Advisors:
Sackett, Charles, Department of Physics, University of Virginia
Abstract:

A precision measurement of the rubidium ionic core polarizability has been realized at The University of Virginia. Development and implementation of a rubidium Rydberg state spectroscopy apparatus, an appropriate model for interpreting spectroscopic results, analysis, and conclusions are documented and presented herein. Due to experiment design, the spectroscopy measurements in this dissertation feature a greater precision and higher fidelity due to less pronounced systematic effects when compared to previous experiments. Furthermore, the implementation of a non-adiabatic core polarization correction leads to a core polarizability result that is more precise and commensurate with theory, potentially resolving a long-standing discrepancy between experiment and theory. These results may prove to be useful in future experiments and interpretation including, but not limited to: parity non-conservation, black-body radiation shifts in atomic clocks, and quantum computation.

Degree:
PHD (Doctor of Philosophy)
Keywords:
Atomic Physics, Core Polarizability, Spectroscopy, Atomic Spectra, Rydberg Atoms, Rubidium
Language:
English
Rights:
All rights reserved (no additional license for public reuse)
Issued Date:
2020/07/30