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Title: Photoionization and cold collision studies using trapped atoms

Abstract

The authors have used laser cooling and trapping techniques to investigate photoionization and cold collisions. With laser-trapped Rb, they have measured the photoionization cross section from the first excited (5P) level by observing the photoionization-induced loss rate of neutral atoms from the trap. This technique has the advantage that it directly measures the photoionization rate per atom. Knowing the ionizing laser intensity and the excited-state fraction, the measured loss rate gives the absolute cross section. Using this technique, the Rb 5P photoionization cross section at {approximately}400 nm has been determined with an uncertainty of 9%. The authors are currently attempting to extend this method to the 5D level. Using time-ordered pulses of diode-laser light (similar to the STIRAP technique), they have performed very efficient two-photon excitation of trapped Rb atoms to 5D. Finally, they will present results from a recent collaboration which combines measurements form conventional molecular spectroscopy (single photon and double resonance) with photoassociation collisions of ultracold Na atoms to yield a precise ({le}1 ppm) value for the dissociation energy of the X {Sigma}{sub g}{sub +} ground state of the Na{sub 2} molecule.

Authors:
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
394121
Report Number(s):
CONF-9605105-
Journal ID: BAPSA6; ISSN 0003-0503; TRN: 96:028784
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Bulletin of the American Physical Society
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 41; Journal Issue: 3; Conference: 27. annual meeting of the Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (DAMOP) of the American Physical Society (APS), Ann Arbor, MI (United States), 15-18 May 1996; Other Information: PBD: May 1996
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
66 PHYSICS; RUBIDIUM; PHOTOIONIZATION; SODIUM; DISSOCIATION ENERGY; TRAPS; MOLECULES

Citation Formats

Gould, P L. Photoionization and cold collision studies using trapped atoms. United States: N. p., 1996. Web.
Gould, P L. Photoionization and cold collision studies using trapped atoms. United States.
Gould, P L. 1996. "Photoionization and cold collision studies using trapped atoms". United States.
@article{osti_394121,
title = {Photoionization and cold collision studies using trapped atoms},
author = {Gould, P L},
abstractNote = {The authors have used laser cooling and trapping techniques to investigate photoionization and cold collisions. With laser-trapped Rb, they have measured the photoionization cross section from the first excited (5P) level by observing the photoionization-induced loss rate of neutral atoms from the trap. This technique has the advantage that it directly measures the photoionization rate per atom. Knowing the ionizing laser intensity and the excited-state fraction, the measured loss rate gives the absolute cross section. Using this technique, the Rb 5P photoionization cross section at {approximately}400 nm has been determined with an uncertainty of 9%. The authors are currently attempting to extend this method to the 5D level. Using time-ordered pulses of diode-laser light (similar to the STIRAP technique), they have performed very efficient two-photon excitation of trapped Rb atoms to 5D. Finally, they will present results from a recent collaboration which combines measurements form conventional molecular spectroscopy (single photon and double resonance) with photoassociation collisions of ultracold Na atoms to yield a precise ({le}1 ppm) value for the dissociation energy of the X {Sigma}{sub g}{sub +} ground state of the Na{sub 2} molecule.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/394121}, journal = {Bulletin of the American Physical Society},
number = 3,
volume = 41,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996},
month = {Wed May 01 00:00:00 EDT 1996}
}