Abstract
We measured the ground-state electric-dipole polarizability of sodium, potassium, and rubidium using a Mach-Zehnder atom interferometer with an electric-field gradient. We find αNa=24.11(2)stat(18)sys×10 -24cm3, αK=43.06(14)(33), and αRb=47.24(12)(42). Since these measurements were all performed in the same apparatus and subject to the same systematic errors, we can present polarizability ratios with 0.3% uncertainty. We find αRb/αNa=1.959(5), αK/αNa=1.786(6), and αRb/αK=1.097(5). We combine our ratio measurements with the higher-precision measurement of sodium polarizability by Ekstrom [Phys. Rev. APLRAAN1050-294710.1103/PhysRevA.51.3883 51, 3883 (1995)] to find αK=43.06(21) and αRb=47.24(21).
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 053607 |
Journal | Physical Review A - Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Physics |
Volume | 81 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 10 2010 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics