Invited Seminar

Title: Dipole-dipole interaction between cold Rydberg atoms

Abstract: A gas of Rydberg atoms, highly excited atoms which have one or more electrons with a large principal quantum number n, is a fascinating system for the study of a broad range of quantum phenomena, since due to their large size and huge dipole moment, Rydberg atoms show exaggerated properties responding to external fields and neighbor atoms. Thus, Rydberg atom can be used to study fundamental properties of atoms and molecules. Using Rb Rydberg atoms, we have observed the dipole-dipole interaction between nsnp atom pairs. Line broadening technique and Ramsey method will be discussed as a probe of the dipole-dipole interaction. Also, the observations will be compared with the calculation of the dipole-dipole interaction including spin-orbit coupling.