Experimental determination of the real elements of the density matrix of H({ital n}=3) atoms produced in 20--100-keV collisions of H{sup +} on Kr
- Atomic Collision Laboratory, Department of Physics, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695-8202 (United States)
In continuation of our previous work, charge transfer processes occurring in protons on rare-gas-atom collisions have been investigated. Diagonal and real off-diagonal coherence elements of the density matrix for H({ital n}=3) atoms produced in 20--100-keV electron-capture collisions with Kr atoms are experimentally determined by analyzing the Balmer-{alpha} light from the decay of H atoms from the ({ital n}=3) state to the ({ital n}=2) state. The intensity and polarization of the emitted light are measured as functions of an axially symmetric electric field in the collision region. These data are fitted to a numerical model of the H atom in an electric field in order to extract density-matrix elements. The results are compared to previous studies of H{sup +} on He and Ar. The collisionally produced dipole moment of the H({ital n}=3) atom decreases for increasing atomic number of the rare-gas target atoms, which indicates that the final phase of the collision process is not essential for the formation of the dipole moment. This physical picture is further supported by our alignment data. Absolute cross sections for charge transfer to the 3{ital s}, 3{ital p}, and 3{ital d} levels are presented as well.
- OSTI ID:
- 132900
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review A, Vol. 52, Issue 5; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1995
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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