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Ionization in Rydberg-atom--SF/sub 6/ collisions at high n

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. A; (United States)

Absolute rate constants for ionization of Rb(ns,nd) atoms in collisions with SF/sub 6/ have been measured for values of n in the range 38--106. In addition, the kinematics of such reactions have been investigated using Xe(nf) atoms. The data confirm that collisions of Rydberg atoms with targets that attach free low-energy electrons are well described by the ''essentially-free''-electron model. Analysis of the data shows that the cross section sigma(v) for electron attachment to SF/sub 6/ at very low electron energies (< or approx. =10 meV) is inversely proportional to the electron velocity v and, if v is expressed in cm sec/sup -1/, is given by sigma(v) = (4.2 +- 1.0) x 10/sup -7//v cm/sup 2/.

Research Organization:
Department of Space Physics and Astronomy and the Rice Quantum Institute, Rice University, Houston, Texas 77251
OSTI ID:
5009087
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. A; (United States) Vol. 32:6; ISSN PLRAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English