Microwave probe for the study of ultra-cold circular Rydberg atoms

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Rydberg atoms are highly excited states of atoms where a single electron is located far away from the remaining ion core. They show exaggerated properties; they are large, very sensitive to electric fields, and interact strongly with one-another. This makes them appealing as sensitive detectors and tools for understanding basic quantum mechanics. Unfortunately, Rydberg atoms normally decay very rapidly -- within a thousandth of a second - limiting their usefulness. There is, however, a special type of Rydberg atom, known as a "circular" Rydberg atom, which shows very long decay times; it can be made to last for almost a second. In the experiments with the requested equipment we will produce long-lived circular Rydberg atoms and study a technique for making them less sensitive to electric fields, while retaining their other exaggerated properties.