Quantum Physics Commons^™

Quantum Control Via A Genetic Algorithm Of The Field Ionization Pathway Of A Rydberg Electron, Vincent C. Gregoric, Xinyue Kang, Zhimin Cheryl Liu, Zoe A. Rowley, Thomas J. Carroll, Michael W. Noel

Physics and Astronomy Faculty Publications

Quantum control of the pathway along which a Rydberg electron field ionizes is experimentally and computationally demonstrated. Selective field ionization is typically done with a slowly rising electric field pulse. The (1/n^*)⁴ scaling of the classical ionization threshold leads to a rough mapping between arrival time of the electron signal and principal quantum number of the Rydberg electron. This is complicated by the many avoided level crossings that the electron must traverse on the way to ionization, which in general leads to broadening of the time-resolved field ionization signal. In order to control the ionization pathway, thus …