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Rydberg Atoms - Posted at 10:20 AM on Jun. 29, 2009 by ausetute
A Rydberg atom is an atom that has at least one electron orbiting the nucleus at a very large distance.
When 2 Rydberg atoms approach each other an additional electrical field can change the orbit of the electrons resulting in a change in the forces acting between the Rydberg atoms so the atoms are attracted to each other. The bond length in these molecules can be very large compared to the bond length in more traditional molecules.
The properties of molecules made out of Rydberg atoms can be tailored by applying an electric field.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma have discovered giant Rydberg molecules with a bond as large as a red blood cell.

University of Oklahoma (2009, June 24). Giant Molecules Made Of Rydberg Atoms Discovered. ScienceDaily. Retrieved June 29, 2009, from http://www.sciencedaily.com­ /releases/2009/06/090624111913.htm
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