Can anyone explain what Rydberg atoms are and give some examples from the periodic table?
Any element in the periodic table can in principle become a Rydberg atom. The term just relates to the state of the atom, meaning that it is in a highly excited state. From quantum mechanics, we know that the electrons surrounding the nucleus of an atom can only take on certain quantized energy values (see for example the Bohr atomic model). Near the ground state (lowest energy state), these quantized energy values are spaced relatively far apart from each other. However, as we move to higher and higher energies, approaching the limit where an electron would no longer be bound to the nucleus, but effectively become free (ionized), the spacings become much smaller and the energy levels are much more densely packed. - If an atom has one of its electrons in such a highly excited state, it is referred to as a Rydberg atom. The excited electron is much more weakly bound than the inner electrons closer to the nucleus, and therefore it is (on average) much further away from the nucleus. As a consequence, Rydberg atoms can have a comparatively large spatial extension (measured as the extension of their electron cloud), perhaps more than 1000 times larger diameter than non-Rydberg atoms (normal atoms in their ground state).
Any element in the periodic table can in principle become a Rydberg atom. The term just relates to the state of the atom, meaning that it is in a highly excited state. From quantum mechanics, we know that the electrons surrounding the nucleus of an atom can only take on certain quantized energy values (see for example the Bohr atomic model). Near the ground state (lowest energy state), these quantized energy values are spaced relatively far apart from each other. However, as we move to higher and higher energies, approaching the limit where an electron would no longer be bound to the nucleus, but effectively become free (ionized), the spacings become much smaller and the energy levels are much more densely packed. - If an atom has one of its electrons in such a highly excited state, it is referred to as a Rydberg atom. The excited electron is much more weakly bound than the inner electrons closer to the nucleus, and therefore it is (on average) much further away from the nucleus. As a consequence, Rydberg atoms can have a comparatively large spatial extension (measured as the extension of their electron cloud), perhaps more than 1000 times larger diameter than non-Rydberg atoms (normal atoms in their ground state).
Actually, Mircea Pop's answer reminded me: a Rydberg atom which has only one electron excited to a high-energy state shares many similarities with a hydrogen atom, no matter which element you have. That is, because there are Z protons in the nucleus whose charge is compensated (neutralized) by Z electrons. If one electron is excited to a high-energy state, it "sees" Z-1 electrons shielding the Z positive charges from the nucleus, so effectively just a single positive elementary charge ... just like the electron in a hydrogen atom with its only proton as the nucleus.
I would like to thank all who gave answer to my question. Is there is any experimental and/or theoretical evidence for condensation of this Rydberg atoms?
Rydberg excitation of a Bose-Einstein condensate
M. Viteau, M. Bason, J. Radogostowicz, N. Malossi, O. Morsch, D. Ciampini, E. Arimondo
http://arxiv.org/abs/1203.1261
and by same authors on Research Gate:
Rydberg atoms in one-dimensional optical lattices
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/50435062_Rydberg_atoms_in_one-dimensional_optical_lattices
Article Rydberg atoms in one-dimensional optical lattices
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