Loss rates for high-$n$, $49\lesssim n \lesssim150$, 5sns($^{3}$S$_{1}$) Rydberg atoms excited in an $^{84}$Sr Bose-Einstein condensate

Abstract

Measurements of the loss rates for strontium n 3 S1 Rydberg atoms excited in a dense BEC are presented for values of principal quantum number n in the range 49 n 150 and local atom densities of ∼ 1 to 3 × 10 14 cm −3 . Two main processes contribute to loss, associative ionization and state-changing. The relative importance of these two loss channels is investigated and their n-and density-dependences are discussed using a model in which Rydberg atom loss is presumed to involve a close collision between the Rydberg core ion and ground-state atoms. The present measurements are compared to earlier results obtained using rubidium Rydberg atoms. For both species the observed loss rates are sizable, ∼ 10 5 − 10 6 s −1 , and limit the time scales over which measurements involving Rydberg atoms immersed in quantum degenerate gases can be conducted.