title: Evolution from a molecular Rydberg gas to an ultracold plasma in a seeded supersonic expansion of NO.
abstract: We report the spontaneous formation of a plasma from a gas of cold Rydberg molecules. Double-resonant laser excitation promotes nitric oxide, cooled to 1 K in a seeded supersonic molecular beam, to single Rydberg states extending as deep as 80 cm;{-1} below the lowest ionization threshold. The density of excited molecules in the illuminated volume approaches 1x10;{13} cm;{-3}. This population evolves to produce free electrons and a durable cold plasma of electrons and intact NO+ ions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Rennick
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Keller
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Grant