Evolution from a Molecular Rydberg Gas to an Ultracold Plasma in a Seeded Supersonic Expansion of NO

被引:87
作者
Morrison, J. P. [1 ]
Rennick, C. J. [1 ]
Keller, J. S. [1 ,2 ]
Grant, E. R. [1 ]
机构
[1] Univ British Columbia, Dept Chem, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada
[2] Kenyon Coll, Dept Chem, Gambier, OH 43022 USA
基金
加拿大自然科学与工程研究理事会;
关键词
Molecular beams - Laser excitation - Rydberg states - Molecules - Ionization of gases;
D O I
10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.205005
中图分类号
O4 [物理学];
学科分类号
0702 ;
摘要
We report the spontaneous formation of a plasma from a gas of cold Rydberg molecules. Double-resonant laser excitation promotes nitric oxide, cooled to 1 K in a seeded supersonic molecular beam, to single Rydberg states extending as deep as 80 cm(-1) below the lowest ionization threshold. The density of excited molecules in the illuminated volume approaches 1x10(13) cm(-3). This population evolves to produce free electrons and a durable cold plasma of electrons and intact NO+ ions.
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页数:4
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