COHERENT CONTROL OF HIGH-N RYDBERG LIFETIMES USING WAVEPACKET TECHNOLOGY

We describe a simple, experimentally feasible scheme for enhancing lif etimes of high-n Rydberg states. We propose a new control scheme, base d upon a 'wavepacket technology' which uses time-dependent, crossed el ectric and magnetic fields. Model (hydrogenic) calculations illustrati ng the control over l and m quantum numbers are presented and experime ntal parameters are suggested. The effects of core multipole moments o n the decay of the target state (high l, high m) are discussed. Cohere nt lifetime enhancement should be applicable to small signal zero-kine tic-energy (ZEKE) photoelectron spectroscopy experiments and to Rydber g photofragment translational energy spectroscopy.