Dynamics of Rydberg atoms near metal surfaces in the presence of an electric field

Authors
Hanssen, J Martin, CF Nordlander, P
Citation
J. Hanssen et al., Dynamics of Rydberg atoms near metal surfaces in the presence of an electric field, SURF SCI, 423(2-3), 1999, pp. L271-L276
Citations number
18
Categorie Soggetti
Physical Chemistry/Chemical Physics
Journal title
SURFACE SCIENCE
ISSN journal
00396028 → ACNP
Volume
423
Issue
2-3
Year of publication
1999
Pages
L271 - L276
Database
ISI
SICI code
0039-6028(19990310)423:2-3<L271:DORANM>2.0.ZU;2-E
Abstract
We investigate the motion of thermal Rydberg atoms incident on a metal surf ace in the presence of an external electric field. It is shown that for suf ficiently strong electric fields the positive ions formed by resonant ioniz ation can escape the surface and provide an experimentally observable signa l. We show that, by measuring the ion current as a function of electric fie ld, it is possible to determine the distance where the atoms ionize. (C) 19 99 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.