Rb adsorbate-induced negative electron affinity on quartz

[摘要] We have investigated Rb adsorbates on the SiO2(0001) surface. Using Rydberg atom electromagnetically induced transparency, we investigate the electric fields resulting from Rb adsorbed on the quartz surface, and measure the activation energy of the Rb adsorbates. We show that the adsorbed Rb induces a negative electron affinity (NEA) on the quartz surface. The NEA surface allows low energy electrons to bind to the surface and cancel the electric field from the Rb adsorbates. Our results are important for integrating Rydberg atoms into hybrid quantum systems and the fundamental study of atom-surface interactions, as well as applications for electrons bound to a surface.

[发布机构] Homer L. Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Oklahoma, Norman; OK; 73019, United States^1;Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Nevada Las Vegas, Las Vegas; NV; 89154, United States^2;Department of Physics and Astronomy, Western Washington University, Bellingham; WA; 98225, United States^3;Department of Physics, United States Naval Academy, Annapolis; MD; 21402, United States^4;Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque; NM; 87185-0779, United States^5;ITAMP, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, Cambridge; MA; 02138, United States^6

[关键词] Electromagnetically-induced transparency;Fundamental studies;Low energy electrons;Negative electron affinity;Quantum system;Quartz surfaces;Rydberg atoms;Surface interactions