title: Single-atom detection of ytterbium by selective laser excitation and field ionization from Rydberg states.
abstract: Detection of single atoms Yb has been achieved using the method of electric-field ionization from the high-lying Rydberg states. Atoms of Yb in a beam were excited in three steps to a 17-p state by radiation of three pulsed dye lasers. The statistics of an atom's appearance in the interaction volume have been studied in the single-ion-counting regime at low beam density.
authors.forename: G I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Bekov
authors.forename: V S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Letokhov
authors.forename: O I
authors.initials: OI
authors.lastname: Matveev
authors.forename: V I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Mishin