Time evolution of Rydberg states as a function of the Rydberg-parent atom relative velocity

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Bulletin of the American Physical Society

OSTI ID:281409

Galvez, E J; Lewis, J R; DeZela, F

Using state-resolved field ionization we have studied the time evolution of sodium Rydberg states, in a thermal atomic beams initially excited to 28s. The velocities of the detected Rydberg atoms were selected using the time-of-flight technique. With this selection we were able to study the time evolution of atoms with average velocities v{sub r} different from v{sub b}, the average velocity of the ground state atoms of the beam. We observe that for v{sub r}{approximately}v{sub b} the time evolution is dominated by blackbody radiation induced transitions to neighboring levels. However, as v{sub r}>>v{sub b} collisional transfers become important. For v{sub r}>>v{sub b} the time evolution is dominated by collisional transfer. The data shows evidence of both n{sup -} and l{sup -} changing collisions. We will compare a modeled theory with the data.

• OSTI ID: 281409
• Report Number(s): CONF-9305421--
• Journal Information: Bulletin of the American Physical Society, Journal Name: Bulletin of the American Physical Society Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 38; ISSN BAPSA6; ISSN 0003-0503
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

66 PHYSICS
COLLISIONS
IONIZATION
RYDBERG STATES
SODIUM
TIME DEPENDENCE
TIME-OF-FLIGHT METHOD