Ionization of K(nd) Rydberg-state atoms at a surface

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Abstract
The ion production that results when K(nd) Rydberg atoms are incident at grazing incidence on a metal surface is investigated. The data show that such ion production forms the basis of a simple technique with which to detect Rydberg atoms, even at relatively low values of n, and suggest that Rydberg atoms may provide a novel means to investigate local electric fields present near a surface.