Use of the Stark effect to minimize residual electric fields in an experimental volume

Abstract

A technique based on the Stark effect is described that allows the residual electric field in a small experimental volume to be systematically reduced to ≲50 μV cm−1. Although developed initially to allow production of Rydberg atoms in states with very large values of principal quantum number n, it will also permit high resolution studies involving near threshold photoionization or very low-energy free electrons.