Two-color three-photon excitation studies of thallium Rydberg states

We present new data on the even-parity Rydberg states of atomic thallium using two-step three-photon laser excitation technique in conjunction with a thermionic diode ion detector. Atoms are excited from the 6p ²P_1/2 ground state to the 7p ²P_1/2 intermediate state via two-photon excitation and subsequently promoted to the high lying ns ² S_1/2 and nd ²D_3/2 Rydberg states. The first ionization potential of thallium is determined as 49,266.66(1) cm^-1 using data for the ns ² S_1/2 (25 ≤ n ≤ 54) and nd ²D_3/2 (24 ≤ n ≤ 65) Rydberg series. This value is believed to be more accurate because the contribution due to the hyperfine structure splitting of the 7p ²P_1/2 state (0.07185 cm^-1) is much smaller as compared to that of the 6p ²P_1/2 ground state (0.711 cm^-1).     

Transition wavelengths for helium atom in weakly coupled hot plasmas

We have investigated the effect of surrounding plasmas on several singly excited and doubly excited meta-stable bound states of helium atom using highly correlated basis functions for singly excited S, P, D states and CI-type basis functions for doubly excited meta-stable D states. Plasma effect is taken care of by using a screened Coulomb (Yukawa) potential obtained from the Debye model that admits a variety of plasma conditions, and such a model plays an important role in plasma spectroscopy. The wavelengths for transitions from the 1snp ¹P° (n=2,3)→1s²¹S^e, 1snp ³P° (n=2,3)→1s2s ³S^e, 2pnp ¹P^e (n=3,4)→1s2p ¹P°, 2pnp ³P^e (n=2,3)→1s2p ³P°, 2pnd ¹D° (n=3,4)→1s3d ¹D^e, 2pnd ³D° (n=3,4)→1s3d ³D^e, 2p3p ¹P^e→2pnd ¹D° (n=3,4), 2pnd ¹D°(n=3, 4)→2p4p ¹P^e, 2pnp ³P^e (n=2,3)→2p3d ³D°, and 2pnp ³P^e (n=2,3)→2p4d ³D° of helium atom in plasmas for various Debye lengths are reported.     

Determination of tensor polarizabilities in Yb and Sm by quantum beat spectroscopy

Tensor polarizabilities of the levels 4f¹⁴6s6p³P₁ in Yb and (4f⁶6s6p+4f⁵5d6s²)⁷D₁,⁷F₁,⁷G₁ in Sm were deduced for the even isotopes from the modulation frequency of quantum beat signals.     

Impact broadening and shifts for 6sns 1S0 and 6snd 1D2 series of barium

Impact broadening and shifts of Ba transitions to parity forbidden Rydberg states have been measured using two-photon laser spectroscopy techniques. Broadening and shift rates for the 6sns ¹S₀ (10 < n < 19) and 6snd ¹D₂ (8 < n < 26) levels due to thermal collisional interactions with Xe, Kr and Ar as perturber gases are plotted. Perturbations due to configuration interactions are discussed.     

Three-photon resonance enhanced excitation spectrum of atomic thallium

We present first measurements on the resonance enhanced three-photon excitation in thallium, using a Nd:YAG laser pumped dye laser in conjunction with a thermionic diode ion detector. The even-parity 6s²ns²S_1/2 (15 ? n ? 31) and nd ²D_5/2 (13 ? n ? 42) Rydberg states have been observed. The measured level energies reveal a dynamic shift from the photoabsorption values, which is decreasing with increasing n, while the asymmetry in the line profile is observed to be increasing with increasing n. In addition, an autoionising level (sp²⁴P_3/2) adjacent to the ionization threshold has been observed and quantitatively analyzed using the Fano’s photoionization cross-section relation for an isolated autoionising resonance.     

Multi-step laser excitation of the highly excited states of zinc

We report experimental data on the highly excited states of zinc in the energy range 74,625-75,740 cm⁻¹ using two-step laser excitation scheme in conjunction with a thermionic diode ion detector. The 4s4p ³P₁ inter-combination level at 32501.399 cm⁻¹ was populated using a frequency doubled dye laser. The 4s5s ³S₁ level at 53672.28 cm⁻¹ gets populated from the ASE (amplified spontaneous emission) of the second step dye laser. The Rydberg series 4snp ³P₂ (12 ? n ? 60), 4snp ¹P₁ (16 ? n ? 30) and parity forbidden transitions 4sns ³S₁ (19 ? n ? 44) have been observed. A two parameter fit to excitation energies of the observed series yields the binding energy of the 4s5s ³S₁ level as 22097.03 ± 0.03 cm⁻¹ and consequently, the first ionization potential of zinc is determined as 75769.31 ± 0.05 cm⁻¹, that is in excellent agreement with the earlier work.     

Natural radiative lifetimes in the2S1/2 and2D5/2,3/2 sequences of aluminum

Natural radiative lifetimes have been measured for the 3s ² ns ² S _1/2 (n≦10) and 3s ² nd ² D _5/2,3/2 (n≦11) sequences of aluminum using pulsed laser excitation of an atomic beam. The investigated states were populated from the ground configuration using UV pulses of wavelength down to 210 nm produced by a Nd: YAG- or an excimer-pumped dye-laser system. TheS-state lifetimes increase regularily with increasing principal quantum number but this is not the case for theD sequence.     

Fluorescence resolue dans le temps des niveax de singulet et d du zinc

The time resolved spectroscopy technique is applied to investigate the (4s, nd) ¹D₂ series of Zn I using a selective stepwise excitation via the resonant 4¹P₁ state. Radiative lifetimes of n¹S₀ (n = 6?8) and n¹D₂ (n = 4,5) levels are measured. Upper limits for transition probabilities 4¹P₁?n¹S₀ (n = 9?12) and 4¹P₁?n¹ (n = 6?10 ) are obtained. Strong configuration interaction effects are observed in the ¹D₂ series and compared with those in Mg I and Cd I.     

Measurement of the lifetime of the3 P 2 and4 P 5/2 states in Ar16+ and Ar15+

Promptly decaying levels in Li- and Be-like Ar could be identified in the delayed x-ray and electron spectrum in addition to the four known metastable (1s2s)¹ S ₀, (1s2s)³ S ₁, (1s2p)³ P ₂, and (1s2s2p)⁴ P _5/2 states in He- and Li-like systems. The states having lifetimes of about 10^?14s still contribute to the spectrum observed 10^?9s after the ions have passed a foil. This observation is explained by cascading processes from states of high principal quantum numbern≧14. The measured lifetime of the⁴ P _5/2 state subtracting the contribution of cascades is (0.594±0.016) ns and slightly larger than the theoretically predicted value of 0.563 ns. The³ P ₂ state is depopulated at short distances behind the foil by cascading processes. Its measured lifetime of (1.44±0.08) ns compares to a theoretical value of 1.48 ns.     

Lifetimes and oscillator strengths in the triplet system of ZnI

Selective laser excitation was used to measure the radiative lifetimes of the ZnI triplet states 4sns ³ S ₁(n=5–7) and 4snd ³ D ₃,³ D ₂ and³ D ₁(n=4–6). These states were excited from the metastable 4s4p ³ P states, which were collisionally populated in an atomic beam. The values are compared with the results of other experimental methods (beam-foil, pulsed electron excitation, Hanle effect) and with theoretical calculations. The corresponding oscillator strengths are discussed with respect to the astrophysical determination of the Zn photospheric abundance.     

Low pressure broadening and shift of the 2p 53p-2p 56s neon spectral lines

Natural radiative lifetimes in the perturbed 6s n s ¹ D ₂ (n=12?30) sequence of barium have been measured using the PUMOLS (PUlse-MOdulated Laser Spectroscopy) method, which incorporates pulse-modulation of a CW dye-laser beam and delayed coincidence techniques. Principal perturbers are the 5d 7d ³ F ₂ and¹ D ₂ states. Lifetimes were also measured for these shortlived valence states, which through configuration mixing cause drastic decreases in lifetime values in the region of perturbation of the 6s n d ¹ D ₂ sequence. Two-step laser excitation from the ground 6s ^{2 1} S ₀ state via the 6s 6p ¹ P ₁ state was employed. Special care was taken to determine the influence of black-body radiation transitions on the measured lifetimes.     

Oscillator strength measurements of the 4s5s 3S1 → 4snp 3Po2 Rydberg transitions of zinc

In the present experimental work, oscillator strengths of the 4s5s ³S₁ → 4snp ³P^o₂ (18?≤?n?≤?53) Rydberg transitions of zinc are reported. The stepwise laser excitation from the ground state 4s^{2 1}S₀ was achieved using three dye laser beams simultaneously pumped by the second (532?nm) and third (355?nm) harmonics of a Q-switched Nd: YAG (Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet) laser. The vapor containment and detection system was a single wire thermionic diode ion detector operating in space charge limited mode. A trend of the above-mentioned f-values from n?=?18 to 53 versus the principle quantum number n has been presented. Furthermore, continuity has been verified between the discrete f-values and the oscillator strength density at the threshold.     

Stark effect,hyperfine structure and isotope shifts in highly excited states of BaI and CaI

The electric dipole polarizabilities of 9 even-parity barium states (6s8s ¹ S ₀,³ S ₁; 6s7d ¹ D ₂,³ D _1,2; 5d7s ¹ D ₂ and 6p ^{2 3} P _0,1,2) in the interval 33,800–35,800 cm^?1 have been measured with high resolution laser-atomic-beam spectroscopy. Simultaneously, values of isotope shifts and hyperfine coupling constants for theJ=1 states have been obtained. Comparison of the experimental polarizabilities with calculated values as well as inspection of the data on isotope shifts and hyperfine structure from the present and earlier work strongly suggests erroneous assignments of theJ=2 states, with an exception for the 5d 7s ¹ D ₂ state. The influence of an electric field on the 3d ^{2 3} P _0,1,2 states of calcium has also been studied. A marked departure from a quadratic Stark effect has been observed at relatively small field strengths. This can be attributed to the large polarizabilities of neighbouring Rydberg states. The low field data allow the determination of admixtures of Rydberg states into the 3d ^{2 3} P-states as small as 0.02%.     

The hyperfine structure of they 8 p-multiplet of 4f 7(8 S) 6s 6p in EuI

The hyperfine splitting constants of the 4f ⁷ 6s 6p y ⁸ P _7/2 level of Eul were determined using the level crossing method. These values and those for the hyperfine splittings of the other 4f ⁷ 6s 6p levels are compared to theoretical values calculated with eigenfunctions of Smith and Collins. For the quadrupole coupling constants a better agreement between theory and experiment is obtained if different 〈r ^?3〉 _p -parameters are assumed for 4f(⁸ S) 6s 6p(³ P) and for 4f ⁷(⁸ S) 6s 6p(¹ P).     

NEW AUTOIONIZING STATES NEAR THE FIRST IONIZATION LIMIT OF RARE EARTH ELEMENT Dy

This paper describes the investigation of autoionizing states near the first ionization limit of rare-earth element Dy. The 62, 51, 97 and 25 new autoionizing states resulting from the states of 4f¹⁰(⁵I₈)6s6p(³P⁰₂)³I⁰₇, 4f⁹ (⁶H⁰)5d²(³F)(⁸G⁰)6s⁹G⁰₇, 4f⁹(⁶F⁰)5d6s^{2 7}H⁰₇ and 4f⁹5d6s^{2 7}K⁰₇, respectively, were found by using a laser resonance ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (LRI-TOFMS), The photoionization efficiencies for different channels were compared with each other. In addition, the Shore-Fano parameters of autoionizing states were determined by a nonlinear fitting program.     

Measurements of photoionization cross sections from the 4p, 5d and 7s excited states of potassium

New measurements of the photoionization cross sections from the 4p ²P_1/2,3/2, 5d ²D_5/2,3/2 and 7s ²S_1/2 excited states of potassium are presented. The cross sections have been measured by two-step excitation and ionization using a Nd:YAG laser in conjunction with a thermionic diode ion detector. By applying the saturation technique, the absolute values of the cross sections from the 4p ²P_3/2 and 4p ²P_1/2 states at 355 nm are determined as 7.2±1.1 and 5.6±0.8 Mb, respectively. The photoionization cross section from the 5d ²D_5/2,3/2 excited state has been measured using two excitation paths, two-step excitation and two-photon excitation from the ground state. The measured values of the cross sections from the 5d ²D_5/2 state by two-photon excitation from the ground state is 28.9±4.3 Mb, whereas in the two-step excitation, the cross section from the 5d ²D_3/2 state via the 4p ²P_1/2 state and from the 5d ²D_5/2,3/2 states via the 4p ²P_3/2 state are determined as 25.1±3.8 and 30.2±4.5 Mb, respectively. Besides, we have measured the photoionization cross sections from the 7s ²S_1/2 excited state using the two-photon excitation from the ground state as 0.61±0.09 Mb.     

Lifetime measurements in the triplet system of Mg I

In an atomic beam the metastable 3s3p ³ P-states of Mg I were populated by electron impact. A pulsed tunable dye laser was used to excite the metastable atoms to the 3snd³ D-(n=3–7) and to the 3sns³ S ₁-states (n=4and 6). Observing the time dependence of the reemitted resonance light the lifetimes of these states were measured.     

Polarization phenomena upon excitation by the Λ-scheme and at an anisotropic population of lower levels

We have investigated the possibility of the formation of dark states and of the change in the sign of the alignment of an ensemble of atoms with the filled ns-shell the state (n + 1)³ S ₁ of which is excited by the Λ-scheme from states n ³ P ₁ and n ³ P ₂, which, in turn, are populated by means of an axially symmetric interaction.     

Coherent trapping of populations upon excitation by the Λ-scheme in a weak magnetic field

We have studied the influence of a constant magnetic field on the possibility of the formation of dark states and on the behavior of the alignment of an ensemble of atoms with the filled ns shell the (n + 1)³ S ₁ state of which is excited by the Λ-scheme from states n ³ P ₁ and n ³ P ₂, which, in turn, are populated by means of an axially symmetric interaction.     

Lebensdauern und Oszillatorstärken im Sr I- und Ca I-Spektrum

Radiative lifetimes of some highly excited levels in Sr I were measured by zero-field level crossing technique. These levels have been populated using optical excitation starting from the metastable 4d 5s ¹ D ₂ or 5s5p ³ P _2,1,0 states. The high population of these metastable levels necessary for the experiments was obtained by a discharge in the pure Sr vapour burning in the atomic beam oven. The following lifetimes have been determined (in units of 10^?8 sec):τ(5s 6s³ S ₁)=1.09±0.11,τ(5s 5d ³D₁)=1.67±0.10,τ(5s4f¹ F ₃)=3.43±0.28,τ(4d5p ¹ D ₂)=2.19±0.16,τ(5p ^{2 3}P₁)=0.88±0.12,τ(5p ^{2 3} P ₂)=0.78 _?0.10 ^+0.26 . These results are compared with lifetimes derived from oscillator strengths given in the literature, and the reliability of different oscillator strengths tables is discussed. A corresponding discussion is given for radiative lifetimes of some levels in Ca I published previously. Good agreement with data derived from arc emission oscillator strengths has been found. Ca lifetimes are fairly well consistent with oscillator strengths calculated with semiempirical scaled Thomas-Fermi-wave functions.