State selective field ionization detection techniques in physics require a specific progression through a complicated atomic state space to optimize state selectivity and overall efficiency. For large principle quantum number n, the theoretical model
s become computationally intractable and any results are often rendered irrelevant by small deviations from ideal experimental conditions, for example external electromagnetic fields. Several different proposals for quantum information processing rely heavily upon the quality of these detectors. In this paper, we show a proof of principle that it is possible to optimize experimental field profiles in situ by running a genetic algorithm to control aspects of the experiment itself. A simple experiment produced novel results that are consistent with analyses of existing results.
Rydberg States are used in our One Atom Maser experiment because they offer a large dipole moment and couple strongly to low numbers of microwave photons in a high Q cavity. Here we report the absolute frequencies of the P$_{3/2}$ states for principa
l quantum numbers $n=36$ to $n=63$. These measurements were made with a three step laser excitation scheme. A wavemeter was calibrated against a frequency comb to provide accurate absolute frequency measurements over the entire range, reducing the measurement uncertainty to 1MHz. We compare the spectroscopic results with known frequency measurements as a test of measurement accuracy.
High efficiency single photon detection is an interesting problem for many areas of physics, including low temperature measurement, quantum information science and particle physics. For optical photons, there are many examples of devices capable of d
etecting single photons with high efficiency. However reliable single photon detection of microwaves is very difficult, principally due to their low energy. In this paper we present the theory of a cascade amplifier operating in the microwave regime that has an optimal quantum efficiency of 93%. The device uses a microwave photon to trigger the stimulated emission of a sequence of atoms where the energy transition is readily detectable. A detailed description of the detectors operation and some discussion of the potential limitations of the detector are presented.
