Diffusive-like Redistribution in State-changing Collisions between Rydberg Atoms and Ground State Atoms

We report on the study of state-changing collisions between Rydberg atoms and ground state atoms. We employ high-resolution momentum spectroscopy to identify the final states. In contrast to previous studies, we find that the outcome of such collisions is not limited to a single hydrogenic manifold. We observe a redistribution of population over a wide range of final states. We also find that even the decay to states with the same $l$ as the initial state, but different principal quantum number $n$ is possible. We model the underlying physical process in the framework of a short-lived Rydberg quasi-molecular complex, where a charge exchange process gives rise to an oscillating electric field that causes transitions within the Rydberg manifold. The distribution of final states shows a diffusive-like behavior.