<p>Cuprous oxide (Cu₂O) has recently been proposed as a promising solid-state host for ex-<br> citonic Rydberg states with large principal quantum numbers (n) whose exaggerated wave-<br> function sizes (∝ n²) facilitate gigantic, resonant dipole-dipole (∝ n⁴) and van der Waals<br> (∝ n¹¹) interactions, making them an ideal basis for solid-state Rydberg physics and quan-<br> tum technology. Synthetic, thin-film Cu₂O samples are of particular interest because they<br> can be made defect-free via carefully controlled fabrication and are, in principle, suitable<br> for the observation of extreme single-photon nonlinearities caused by Rydberg blockade. In<br> this work, we present the development of a spectroscopy experiment for characterizing the<br> behavior of Rydberg excitons and use it to study a synthetic thin film of Cu₂O grown on a<br> transparent substrate. We present evidence for the presence of states up to n = 8 and conduct<br> the first temperature-dependent study of Rydberg excitons in a thin film. We also propose<br> a technique for studying Rydberg-Rydberg interactions via the creation of high exciton den-<br> sities and establish a set of rate equations for modeling the processes by which excitons are<br> created, interact with each other, and decay. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the<br> project’s outlook, as well as what future work will be undertaken to study the interactions<br> between Rydberg excitons and utilize them in scalable, integrable, Rydberg-based quantum<br> devices.<br> </p>

The electronic and magnetic structure of the colossal magneto resistance material La1-xSrxMnO3, the high-k and strain tailoring compounds REScO3 (Sm, Gd, Dy) and the multiferroic LuFe2O4 was investigated by means of x-ray spectroscopic techniques. SQUID measurements of La1-xSrxMnO3 (x = 0.125, 0.17, 0.36) were compared with XMCD results. The very good agreement between these two experiments proofs the applicability of the correction factor for the spin magnetic moment and the importance of charge transfer. The magnetic moment measured by SQUID and that determined from XMCD proofs that the magnetic moment is completely localized at the Mn ions for different temperatures and magnetic fields. For x = 0.125 the orbital magnetic moment determined from XMCD corresponds to the structural changes in the phase diagram. Additionally the measured orbital moments correspond to anomalies in magnetization versus temperature curves. The magnetic and electronic structure of the rare earth scandates (SmScO3, GdScO3 and DyScO3) were investigated by means of XPS, XES, XAS, SQUID and neutron powder diffraction. The magnetic measurements reveal antiferromagnetic coupling at low temperatures in agreement with neutron diffraction data. With XAS and XES at the O K-edge in comparison with band structure calculations of the unoccupied oxygen states, the band gaps of REScO3 were determined and it was found that these values are corresponding to the Sc-O mean distances. The electronic and magnetic structure of LuFe2O4 was presented. The valence state of Fe ions was determined to 50% divalent and 50% trivalent by XPS of Fe 2p and 3s levels. The big orbital magnetic moment found by XMCD could explain a discrepancy between the magnetic measurements and the spin configuration, which was confirmed by XMCD.