Alkali-metal electron spin density shift induced by a helium nanodroplet

Squeezing a helium nanodroplet with a Rydberg electron.

We have investigated, by means of density functional theory, the structure of a "scolium", that is, an electron circulating around a positively charged 4He nanodroplet, temporarily prevented from neutralization by the helium-electron repulsion. The positive ion core resides in the center of the nanodroplet where, as a consequence of electrostriction, a strong increase in the helium density with...

Effects of spin-exchange collisions in a high-density alkali-metal vapor in low magnetic fields

Spin-exchange collisions often play a dominant role in the broadening of Zeeman resonances in an alkalimetal vapor. Contrary to intuitive expectations, at high alkali-metal densities this broadening can be completely eliminated by operating in a low magnetic field, allowing construction of ultrasensitive atomic magnetometers. We describe a detailed study of the Zeeman resonance frequencies and ...

Unusual Rydberg system consisting of a positively charged helium nanodroplet with an orbiting electron.

Evidence is presented of an unusual Rydberg system consisting of a helium nanodroplet containing a positively charged sodium ion and an orbiting electron. Rydberg states of this system with principal quantum number n<20 are found to be unstable on a nanosecond time scale. In contrast, Rydberg states with n≳100 are found to have a lifetime of 1.1 μs. In addition, it is found that the ionization ...

MO Calculations on Sign and Magnitude of the Metal Spin Density in Alkali Radical Ion Pairs*

MO Calculations on Sign and Magnitude of the Metal Spin Density in Alkali Radical Ion Pairs*