Highly-Excited Double Rydberg States of Ytterbium

Abstract

B y using five-laser resonance excitation in combination with a new detection method, the highly-excited double Rydberg states NLn'l (N 2 40, Nln' 1 0.5 and L , 1 < 4) o f Yb have been observed. The relative excitation strengths between the A1 allowed and forbidden core transitions can be quantitatively measured. Analysis o f the spectra has revealed the strong electronic correlation in such highly excited states.