Autoionization of very-high-n strontium Rydberg states

We study, using a combination of experiment and theory, the excitation and decay of very-high-n (n similar to 280-430) strontium autoionizing Rydberg states formed by near-resonant driving of the 5s(2)S(1/2) -> 5p(2)P(1/2) core-ion transition. The branching ratio between decay through radiative transitions and through autoionization is explored. Autoionization rates are measured as a function of both the n and l quantum numbers of the Rydberg electron. The nonstationary decay dynamics is studied by creating and manipulating Rydberg wave packets and by varying the laser pulse that drives the core excitation.