On the dynamics of high Rydberg states of large molecules

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Abstract
In this paper we explore the level structure, the optical excitation modes and the dynamics of a mixed Stark manifold of very high Rydberg states (with principal quantum numbers n=80–250) of large molecules, e.g., 1,4 diaza bicyclo [2,2,2] octane (DABCO) and bis (benzene) chromium (BBC) [U. Even, R. D. Levine, and R. Bersohn, J. Phys. Chem. 98, 3472 (1994)] and of autoionizing Rydbergs of atoms [F. Merkt, J. Chem. Phys. 100, 2623 (1994)], interrogated by time‐resolved zero‐electron kinetic energy (ZEKE) spectroscopy. We pursue the formal analogy between the level structure, accessibility and decay of very high Rydbergs in an external weak (F≂0.1–1 V cm−1) electric field and intramolecular (interstate and intrastate) relaxation in a bound molecular level structure. The onset n=nM of the strong mixing (in an external field F and in the field exerted by static ions) of a doorway state, which is characterized by a low azimuthal quantum number l, a finite quantum defect δ, and a total nonradiative width Γs≂Γ0/n3, with the inactive high l manifold is specified by nM≂80.6δ1/5(F/V cm−1)−1/5. At n≥nM the level structure and dynamics are characterized by the product γρ, where ρ is the density of states and γ=ΓsD(n) is the average decay width of the eigenstates, with the dilution factor D(n)≊n−2 for (lml) mixing and D(n)≂n−1 for (l) mixing, whereupon γρ=(Γ0/4δR)(nM/n)5, being independent of D(n). The sparse level structure is realized for γρ≪1, while the dense level structure prevails for γρ≳1, resulting in two limiting situations; (a) a dense limit for n≥nM and a sparse limit for n≫nM, and (b) a sparse limit for all n≥nM. The experimental information currently available on the decay dynamics of molecular (DABCO and BBC) and atomic (Ar) Rydbergs for n≥nM corresponds to case (b). The time‐resolved dynamics was characterized in terms of the excited state total population probability P(t) and the population probability I(t) of the doorway state. P(t), which is interrogated by time‐resolved ZEKE spectroscopy, will exhibit for both the sparse and dense level structures and for all excitation conditions a superposition of exponential temporal decay terms with an average lifetime of ∼ℏ/γ. I(t) can be used to interrogate coherence effects, which in case (b) are manifested in quantum beats, while case (a) corresponds to a giant resonance with a molecular time characterized by the reciprocal energetic spread of the Stark manifold. The experimental data for the onset of strong mixing and for the diluted lifetimes [ℏ/ΓsD(n) with D(n)∼n−1] of the high Rydbergs (n∼100–200) of BBC and of DABCO are in accord with the predictions of the theory for the limit of strong (l) mixing. While strong mixing is realized for F̄=Fn5/3.4×109δ≳1, we expect that for the weak mixing regime (F̄<1) the dynamics of ultrahigh Rydbergs will be characterized by two distinct (∼ns and ∼μs) time scales. Finally, we emphasize the universality of the model, which provides a unified description of the level structure and dynamics of high Rydbergs of molecules and of autoionizing atoms.