I. L. Glukhov, A. A. Kamenski, A. S. Kornev, N. L. Manakov, V. D. Ovsyannikov, V. G. Pal'chikov, “Van der Waals interaction of alkaline earth atoms in singlet Rydberg states”, Kvantovaya Elektronika, 2025, Volume 55, Number 2,Pages <nobr>123

Laser applications and system components

Van der Waals interaction of alkaline earth atoms in singlet Rydberg states

I. L. Glukhov^a, A. A. Kamenski^a, A. S. Kornev^a, N. L. Manakov^a, V. D. Ovsyannikov^a, V. G. Pal'chikov^bc

^a Department of Physics, Voronezh State University, Voronezh
^b All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Physical-Technical and Radiotechnical Measurements, Mendeleevo, Moscow region
^c National Engineering Physics Institute "MEPhI", Moscow

Abstract: The numerical values of the van der Waals interaction constant C₆ are determined between alkaline earth atoms in singlet Rydberg |n¹S₀⟩ states with large principal quantum numbers, n > 20. The results of calculations using the semiempirical quantum defect theory (QDT) method are approximated by quadratic polynomials. The polynomial coefficients are tabulated and can be used for simplified quantitative estimates of interatomic interaction-induced energy shifts, determination of the Rydberg state excitation blockade radius, and limitations on the wavelengths of radiation forming Rydberg lattices for group IIA atoms. The numerical values of the contributions of various diatomic states to the constant C₆ are calculated. States providing the main contribution, analogous to that of the Förster resonance, are identified.

Keywords: van der Waals interaction, Rydberg atoms, alkaline earth atoms, singlet states.

Received: 29.11.2024
Revised: 26.03.2025
Accepted: 28.03.2025