Analysis of the substate distribution of H(n=3) atoms from electron capture by protons on Ar
We present a measurement of diagonal and real off-diagonal germs of the density matrix describing H(n=3) atoms produced by electron capture of 20 - 100 keV protons colliding with Ar. These elements of the excited atoms` density matrix are used to determine important parameters of the collisionally-produced H atom, including the atom`s electric dipole moment and cross sections for electron capture to angular momentum substates of n=3. The matrix is determined by analysis of the polarization of Balmer-{alpha} light emitted by the radiative decay of the atoms in an external electric field. A new polarimeter, employing a photoelastic modulator, has allowed us to subtract undesired background from excited Ar atoms. The dipole moment and the probablity density of the excited H atoms produced from the Ar target show similar qualitative behavior to those from a He target at higher beam energies, while their behavior is markedly different below 35 keV. Data will be presented along with a comparison of the PEM to other polarimeters.
- OSTI ID:
- 281558
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9305421-; ISSN 0003-0503; CNN: Grant PHY-9016986; TRN: 96:019484
- Journal Information:
- Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Vol. 38, Issue 3; Conference: 1993 American Physical Society annual meeting on atomic, molecular, and topical physics, Reno, NV (United States), 16-19 May 1993; Other Information: PBD: May 1993
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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