Millimeter spectroscopy in sodium Rydberg states: Quantum-defect, fine-structure, and polarizability measurements

Abstract

Millimeter resonances corresponding to single- and double-photon transitions have been observed between Rydberg levels of sodium with principal quantum number $n$ ranging from 23 to 41. The levels are prepared by laser excitation; transitions are induced by microwaves produced by a backwave oscillator working around 300 GHz; detection is performed through the selective field-ionization technique. Experimental values for quantum defects, fine-structure intervals, and polarizabilities are reported.