Coherent transient effect studies of Rydberg atoms

New techniques for making time resolved studies of atoms in highly excited (Rydberg) states were investigated. In particular, attempts were made to observe coherent transient effects produced via CO2 laser irradiation, from a high density atomic Rydberg vapor produced by stepwise dye laser excitation, but no such effects were observable. It was found that this result was due to a very rapid collisional decay process which occurs in a Rydberg gas at the densities required for transient experiments (approx 10 to the 12th power atoms/cu cm). The decay process was studied using ion collection and fluorescence collection and fluoresence techniques.