Controlling Rydberg Atoms with Microwaves

本研究的目的是通过实验探索激发原子对频率与原子自然频率相当的微波场的响应。 原则上，这样的场将量子力学原子转换为近似经典的原子，其中原子电子的运动被锁定到外部场。 在何种程度上原子已成为经典探测使用激光脉冲，以确定电子在微波场的不同阶段。 计划通过改变微波频率来探索改变原子量子态的可行性的实验。 总的来说，该计划应该加强对量子和经典系统之间关系的理解，并为控制量子系统的方法提供新的见解。

The objective of this research is to explore experimentally the response of excited atoms to microwave fields at frequencies comparable to the natural frequencies of the atoms. In principle, such a field converts a quantum mechanical atom to a nearly classical atom in which the atomic electron's motion is locked to the external field. The extent to which the atom has become classical is probed using laser pulses to determine where the electron is at different phases of the microwave field. Experiments to explore the feasibility of changing the quantum state of the atom by changing the microwave frequency are planned. Overall, the program should enhance the understanding of the relation between quantum and classical systems and provide new insights into ways to control quantum systems.