%0 Journal Article
%T AC-Stark shift and photoionization of Rydberg atoms in an optical dipole trap
%A F. Markert
%A P. W¨¹rtz
%A A. Koglbauer
%A T. Gericke
%A A. Vogler
%A H. Ott
%J Physics
%D 2010
%I arXiv
%R 10.1088/1367-2630/12/11/113003
%X We have measured the AC-Stark shift of the $14D_{5/2}$ Rydberg state of rubidium 87 in an optical dipole trap formed by a focussed CO$_2$-laser. We find good quantitative agreement with the model of a free electron experiencing a ponderomotive potential in the light field. In order to reproduce the observed spectra we take into account the broadening of the Rydberg state due to photoionization. The extracted cross-section is compatible with previous measurements on neighboring Rydberg states.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/1011.0837v1