Electron impact on laser excited barium atoms

We have investigated the cross section for inner (5p) shell ionization of barium by high energy (6 keV) electron impact. The target atoms were in the ground state and in the laser excited metastable 6s 5d (^1,3 D) state, respectively. Comparison of the relative ionization cross sections yields information on the configuration mixed wave functions of neutral and ionic barium.     

Two-photon ionization of an inner shell electron of the Cl atom

We have calculated, using second order perturbation theory, the two photon ionization cross section of a K-shell electron of chlorine forE=1.6 keV incident photons. Two classes of intermediate states must be considered, those in which a 1s electron moves to an emptyp-orbital, and those in which an electron from an occupiedp-orbital moves into the continuum. The first class of intermediate states is followed by the ejection of ap-electron into the continuum. The second class of intermediate states is followed by the transfer of a 1s electron into an emptyp-state. The largest contribution comes from 3p →d-continuum followed by 1s → 3p transition. Our result is σ⁽²⁾/I=2.06×10⁴¹ cm⁴/W where σ⁽²⁾ is the two photon ionization cross-section andI is the light intensity.     

Determination of radiative lifetimes in neutral nitrogen using short laser pulses from a distributed feedback dye laser

Radiative lifetimes were determined for two short-lived states in neutral nitrogen. Following photo-dissociation and two-photon excitation employing the same UV source, excitation to higher states was performed with a distributed feedback dye laser (DFDL). The lifetimes were found to be τ(2p ²4d ⁴ D _7/2)=17(3) ns and τ(2p ²5s ⁴ P _5/2)=22(3) ns.     

3dnl J=3e autoionizing levels of calcium: observation by laser optogalvanic spectroscopy and theoretical analysis

The even parityJ=3 autoionizing spectra of calcium were investigated below the 3d threshold by a two-step laser excitation from the 3d4s metastables through the 3d4p ³ P ₂,¹ F ₃ intermediate states. The 3d4s were populated by electronic collisions in a d.c. glow dis-charge through a Ca heat-pipe. More than a hundred resonance transitions have been measured with an accuracy of ～0.2 cm^?1 for the narrow ones using standard laser calibration techniques. Their upper levels are assigned to all expected nine autoionizing 3dns, 3dnd and 3dng Rydberg series and the 4p 5p ³ D ₃ perturber. The theoretical interpretation is achieved by a combination of the eigenchannelR-matrix and mulitchannel quantum defect (MQDT) methods. Ten closed and two openJ=3 interacting channesl are used. Theoretical energy level positions and excitation profiles are compared with the experimental data confirming the identification of the observed structures. Strong mixing between the 3d _3/2 nd _5/2 and 3d _5/2 nd _3/2 series is found, while the 3d _3/2 nd _3/2 and 3d _5/2 nd _5/2 series are almost purejj-coupled. The calculations were particularly successful in reproducing the spectrum in the region of the 4p 5p ³ D ₃ perturber, where strong chancel mixing appears leading to interference effects in the excitation cross sections.     

CW laser spectroscopy of autoionising 6p 3/2 nl states of Barium

6pnl states of Ba with l ≥ 5, excited with two narrowband, tunable CW lasers have been studied. In the first excitation step 6snl states were populated from metastable states of the 5d ² configuration: to 6s40h (l = 5) states in the absence, and to parabolic 6pnk (n = 30, 35, 40) states in the presence of an electric field. The atomic motion was used to adiabatically reduce this field to zero before applying the second excitation step to high-l 6p _3/2 nl states (Stark-switching). A slow decrease in the autoionisation rate for increasing value of l and, in case of 6pnh, a dependence on the fine-structure state was measured. The narrowest autoionisation linewidth observed is 113(11) MHz, relatively close to the 20 MHz linewidth corresponding to the radiative lifetime of the 6p state of the Ba⁺-ion.     

Lifetime measurements of the 3d 94s(1 D) 4p configuration of Cu I

The radiative lifetimes of the levels in the 3d ⁹4s(¹ D)4p configuration of Cu I are measured. The levels are excited from the metastable 3d ⁹4s ^{2 2} D _3/2,5/2 levels. The metastable Cu atoms are generated in a pulsed hollow cathode discharge. The levels investigated are populated with a 35-ps laser pulse at wavelengths around 220 nm. The laser induced fluorescence signal is detected. The lifetime of the 3d ⁹4s(³ D)4p ⁴ D _1/2 level is also determined by direct excitation from the ground state. A comparison with calculated literature values is given.     

Angular momentum coherences of helium atoms excited by proton impact

Using electric-field anticrossing techniques, we investigated the coherent excitation ofn=5–8 He I states with different orbital angular momenta by proton impact. These measurements give strong evidence that saddle dynamics of H ₂ ⁺ -like systems are well suited for describing the final phase of 12.5 keV H⁺-He collisions. We conclude that, besides electron promotion via the 2pσ orbital, the collision system undergoes diabatic 1sσ–3dσ transitions during the close encounter and present an explanation of the electric dipole moments measured for excitation of H(n=2) states by H⁺-He and H-He collisions.     

Hyperfine structure investigations in excitedD-states of171Yb and173Yb

The hyperfine structure splittings in the excited 4f ¹⁴6s6d states of¹⁷¹Yb and¹⁷³Yb have been measured. Isotope selection was achieved by stepwise laser excitation of the¹ D ₂ and³ D _{2, 1} states. The³ D ₃ state of¹⁷¹Yb was excited via collisional excitation of an intermediate level. The magnetic and electric hfs coupling constants are given and compared to ab initio values calculated from relativistic self-consistent-field wavefunctions.     

Orbital alignment dependence of electron transfer cross sections

his paper reports experimental results for the influence of target excitation and orbital alignment on the charge exchange process for the systems Ne⁺, Ar⁺-Na(3s,3p) for impact energies in the 1-15 keV range. The cross section parameters are found to depend sensitively on collision velocity and choice of projectile. Using earlier results by Aumayr et al (Z. Phys. D 6(1987) 145-153) for the Na(3s) target, the relative cross sections are put on an absolute scale. A strong dependence of the total electron transfer cross section on the target state is observed, most dramatically for low energy Ar⁺ impact for which the cross section for a Na(3p) target is more than 200 times larger than for Na(3s). Time-of-flight spectra show that electron transfer channels with energy defects near zero are strongly preferred. Cross section estimates based on the Demkov-Olson model account well for the major trends observed, but not for the detailed behavior.     

Lifetimes of the 4s4p 3 P 1 and 4s3d 1 D 2 states of Ca I

The lifetimes of the 4s4p ³ P ₁ and 4s3d ¹ D ₂ metastable states of Ca have been studied using the time-of-flight technique. Two kinds of observations were performed. First, the exponential decay of the fluorescence, using a (continuous) dc discharge for excitation and then the velocity distribution of the radiating atoms, using a pulsed discharge, were measured. From the combined results of these measurements the lifetimes were derived. The lifetimes of the 4s4p ³ P ₁ and 4s3d ¹ D ₂ states of Ca are determined to be 0.57±0.03 ms and 1.5±0.4 ms, respectively.     

Wavelengths and transition probabilities in the quartet spectrum of NV

Energies and structures of 1s2snl ⁴ L and 1s2pnl' ⁴ L core-excited levels in lithium-like NV are calculated. Wavelengths, transition probabilities and radiative lifetimes are reported and compared with available experimental data. It is suggested that the 1s2p4d ⁴ P ⁰,⁴ D ⁰ levels are nearly degenerate in NV and have not been resolved experimentally. Several new assignments for observed lines are proposed.     

Autoionization resonances in atomic Ga,In, and Pb

Autoionization resonances of the type (n?1)d→np, wheren pertains to the outermost shell of Ga, In and Pb, were studied with the use of electron spectrometry in combination with synchrotron radiation. The relative strengths of the exit channels for the various resonance states were measured. In the case of Ga and In, a complete partitioning of the total absorption cross section into thes ^{2 1} S,sp ¹ P, andsp ³ P components (exit channels) was achieved, and in the case of Pb the decay of the resonance states into the major exit channels 6s ² 6p ² P _1/2, 6s ² 6p ² P _3/2, 6s 6p ^{2 4} P _1/2, 6s 6p ^{2 2} D _3/2 and 6s 6p ^{2 2} P _1/2 was determined. In Ga, strong coupling was observed for those states of the 4p ² manifold that have the same symmetries as the final ionic states, e.g. 4p ^{2 3} P→4s 4p ³ P and 4p ^{2 1} S→4s ^{2 1} S. In In, there is a similar, but weaker correlation, which also includes two-electron excitation channels. Comparison between Ga and In shows that thesp ³ P channel is much stronger in In (52% vs 40% in Ga) while thesp ¹ P channel is correspondingly weaker (28% vs 37%), with thes ^{2 1} S channel remaining practically unchanged (20 vs 23%). In Pb, the 6s ² 6P ² P _1/2 channel displays interference patterns due to a strong, competing direct transition, whereas the other channels do not, indicating population predominantly via the resonance states.     

Collisions of metastable Ne*, He* atoms with ground-state He,Ne atoms studied by atomic beam and laser techniques

A crossed nozzle-beam experiment is used to investigate thermal energy collisions: Ne*(2p ⁵3s,³ P _{0, 2})+He(1s ²,¹ S ₀), almost purely elastic, and He*(1s2s,^{1, 3} S)+Ne(2p ⁶,¹ S ₀), in which inelastic excitation transfers occur. State and velocity selection of the scattered Ne* atoms is performed using a tunablecw dye laser frequency locked on a definite Zeeman component of the transition 1s ₅→2p ₆ (λ=614.3 nm) of²⁰Ne or²²Ne. In the purely elastic case, this technique allows the selection of one of the two final velocities, and then an unambiguous LAB-CM transformation. The differential cross section at 62 meV tallies on accords with a calculation using a single effective potential. In He* on Ne collisions, the main inelastic processes are endothermic excitation transfers from He*(2¹ S). Experimental results obtained at different energies (62, 95, 109, 124 meV) show that the transfers essentially result in levels 3s and 4d of Ne.     

Doubly autoionizing capture resonances ine + Mg+ collisions

Fine details in the cross section for electron impact ionization of Mg⁺ ions (configuration 1s ² 2s ² 2p ⁶ 3s) have been measured with an energy resolution of 0.3 eV. Structure on top of a smooth direct-ionization “background” reflects the presence of indirect ionization mechanisms. Such contributions in a Na-like ion involvenon-resonant excitation of a 2p electron to singly autoionizing intermediate states subsequently decaying into the channel of net single ionization of the parent ion. We observe even stronger indirect contributions fromresonant excitation of a 2p electron with simultaneous dielectronic capture of the projectile electron into doubly autoionizing states which decay by successive emission of two electrons.     

Rydberg states of the strontium ion

We report on the spectroscopy of highly excited strontium ions after resonant multistep laser excitation. The states observed belonged to then s (26≦n≦79),n d (25≦n≦83),n f (28≦n≦86) andn g (30≦n≦81) series of Sr⁺. A least squares fit has been applied to determine the quantum defects and their linear energy dependence in each series, together with the ionisation limit of Sr⁺. The analysis of our data lead to a revised value for this ionisation limit of 88 965.18±0.02 cm^?1, with respect to the ground state of the Sr⁺ ion. Analysis of the non core-penetratingn g states yielded experimental values for the dipole and quadrupole polarizability of Sr⁺⁺, which are in satisfactory agreement with previous calculations.     

Excitation of He—41 D-substates by He+- and Ne+-projectiles investigated by level-crossing techniques

Collisions of He⁺- and Ne⁺-projectiles with He at impact energies between 90 keV and 800 keV were investigated. Relative excitation cross sections for magnetic sublevels of He—4¹ D were determined using level-crossing techniques. Absolute excitation cross sections σ _m of the Zeeman-sublevels are given using He—4¹ D cross sections from earlier measurements. The results show strong variations of the cross sections σ₀ and σ_±1 with a quasi-oscillatory behaviour. σ_±2 is much smaller than σ₀ and σ_±1.     

Analysis of autoionizing Rydberg series Cu I 3d 9 4snl with the multichannel quantum defect theory

Using atomic beam technique, a combination of collisional and laser excitation, and photoion detection, autoionizing Cu I states in the region of the ionization limits Cu II 3d ⁹ 4s(^3,1 D) were investigated. In spite of the complicated structure of the signals due to the four different ionization limits³ D ₃,³ D ₂,³ D ₁ and¹ D ₂ and the large number of possible (LSJ)-states, which can be reached by this experimental technique, the majority of the signals could be attributed to definite Rydberg series 3d ⁹ 4s(³ D ₃,³ D ₂,³ D ₁,¹ D ₂)nl (LSJ). Perturbations were analyzed by the three- and four-channel quantum defect theory and by Hartree-Fock calculations. General formulas for the calculation of the photoionization cross section by the four-channel quantum defect theory in the case of two closed and two open channels are given.     

Lifetime measurements and stark mixing of autoionizing Cu I-states

Using a combination of collisional and laser excitation the lifetimes of 17 autoionizing Cu I states in the configurations 3d ⁹ 4s 6s and 3d ⁹ 4s4d were measured. The lifetimes are in the range of 1–50 ps and depend strongly on the coupling properties, the mixing with different configurations, and the radial integrals of the discrete with the continuum states. For the level 3d ⁹ 4s 4d ⁴ S _3/2 the influence of an electric field via Stark mixing of 3d ⁹ 4s 5p ⁴ P _1/2 on the autoionizing rate was investigated. The experimental values are compared with theoretical results which follow from ab initio calculations for the transition probabilities and least square fit values deduced from the experimental positions. Good agreement is found only for theJ=3/2 levels of both configurations 3d ⁹ 4s 4d and 3d ⁹ 4s 6s.     

Crossed-second-order-effects of the isotope shift and hyperfine-structure parameters in the Eu I configuration 4f 7 6s6d

In the Eu I configuration 4f ⁷ 6s6d the isotope shift (IS) and hyperfine-structure (hfs) of the termse ⁶ D ande ¹⁰ D were determined from fourteen transitions (4f ⁷ 6s6d-4f ⁷ 6s6p) with computer supported interference spectroscopy. From the IS of altogether nine levels of 4f ⁷ 6s6d the crossed-second-order-parameterg ₃(4f,6s)=?0.90(6)mK was evaluated. The ratiog ₃/G ₃=?4.4(3)·10^?6 (G ₃: Slater Integral of the fine structure) is of the same size as that from five other independent investigations and one theoretical value. The single electron hfs splitting constantsa _4f ¹⁰ =?1.9(3)mK,a _6s ¹⁰ =391(3)mK, anda _6d ¹² =0.9(3)mK were also evaluated and are compared with those of other Eu 4f ⁷ 6snl configurations.     

Spectroscopy of triatomic hydrogen

The visible emission spectra of H₃, D₂H, H₂D and D₃ were studied. Triatomic hydrogen molecules were produced by neutralization of fast ion beams in alkali vapors. In addition to the well-known 0-0 bands, weak vibrational bands of the electronic 3p ² A″ ₂ → 2s ² A′ ₁ transition of D₃ and D₂H were observed and analyzed. From the decay of the emission along the molecular beam lifetimes of excited states were obtained. For all observed states, 3p ² A″ ₂, 3s ² A′ ₁ and 3d, lifetimes strongly depend on the isotopic mixture. Many lifetimes measured were considerably shorter than ab initio predictions of the radiative lifetimes. Thus radiationless decay is important for all these excited states. Predissociation of the 3p ² A″ ₂ state increases with the rotational quantum number. Possible decay channels are discussed.