Title: Phase Dependent Energy Transfer in a Microwave Field

K. R. Overstreet, R.R. Jones and T.F. Gallagher

Abstract:

We have excited Li atoms to Rydberg states with a ps laser in the presence of a phase-locked microwave field. We have observed energy transfer to higher and lower lying Rydberg states depending on the phase of the microwave field at which the ps laser excitation occurs. These observations confirm the prediction of a classical picture of the energy transfer and demonstrate that the phase dependent energy transfer is not limited to processes in which energy transfer occurs across the ionization limit.

Status: Published Physical Review A 85, 055401 (2012).