Mean-field energy-level shifts and dielectric properties of strongly polarized Rydberg gases

Mean-field energy-level shifts arising as a result of strong electrostatic dipole interactions within dilute gases of polarized helium Rydberg atoms have been probed by microwave spectroscopy. The Rydberg states studied had principal quantum numbers n = 70 and 72, and electric dipole moments of up to 14 050 D, and were prepared in pulsed supersonic beams at particle number densities on the order of 108 cm−3. Comparisons of the experimental data with the results of Monte Carlo calculations highlight effects of the distribution of nearest-neighbor spacings in the pulsed supersonic beams, and the dielectric properties of the strongly polarized Rydberg gases, on the microwave spectra. These observations reflect the emergence of macroscopic electrical properties of the atomic samples when strongly polarized.