Einbeziehung von Kaskaden bei der Ionenstrahlspektroskopie des Wasserstoffs durch korrelierte Analyse zweier Linien

Ion beams of hydrogen are accelerated to energies of 50–400 keV and sent through a thin carbon foil. The decay of excited states of principal quantum numbersn=2 and 3 is observed by recording light intensities as a function of distance behind the foil. Two detectors are used to measure Lyman-α and Balmer-α-lines simultaneously. A correlated fit of both decay curves allows satisfactory elimination of cascade effects and yields an experimental lifetime for Ly-α of (1.592±0.025) ns. The main error results from uncertainties in the beam velocity. Furthermore, the relative initial populations of the 2p, 3s, 3p, and 3d states are determined.