Rydberg-atom photoionization with and without the single-n manifold approximation - art. no. 063413

In a wide basis of bound hydrogenic states (20 less than or equal to n less than or equal to 80, 1 less than or equal to 29), we simulate redistributi on of the initial 50s state population by a nonresonant, optical-frequency pulse of the strength at which Rydberg-to-Rydberg Rabi frequencies exceed t he pulse frequency. A small transient flow of the population out of the 50l manifold (l = 0,1,2,3,...) is observed and the effect of this n not equal 50 redistribution on the formation of the photoionization signal from Rydbe rg states is calculated in the limit of weak bound-free coupling. This n no t equal 50 redistribution is found to totally cancel the predictions of the single-n manifold approximation (n = 50 in this case) in photoionization.