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Collision-induced intramultiplet mixing for Ne)(2p)/sup 5/ (3p))+He: Experiments and quantum calculations

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

We have investigated fine-structure--changing collisions of short-lived (20-ns) Ne/sup *//sup */ atoms in the )..cap alpha..)equivalent)(2p)/sup 5/(3p)) multiplet with ground-state He atoms. A newly designed cross-beam apparatus allows the measurement of accurate polarized cross sections Q/sub l//sub left-arrow//sub k//sup chemically bond//sup M//sup >//sup k/chemically bond$ for the )..cap alpha..)/sub k/..-->..)..cap alpha..)/sub l/ transition. In the experiment, the initial )..cap alpha..)/sub k/ state is prepared with a well-defined asymptotic orientation M/sub k/ of its electronic angular momentum J, through excitation of metastable Ne/sup */ atoms with a polarized laser. The reported transitions are mainly between states in the )..cap alpha..)/sub 4,5,6,7/ group (Paschen numbering), at approximately 100 meV center-of-mass energy. Some of these exhibit very strong polarization effects, with differences between Q/sub l//sub left-arrow//sub k//sup chemically bond//sup M//sup >//sup k/chemically bond$ and Q/sub l//sub left-arrow//sub k//sup chemically bond//sup M//sup >//sup k//sup '/chemically bond$ of up to a factor 4. Fully quantum-mechanical coupled-channel calculations on a diabatic basis, with the Ne/sup *//sup */-He model potentials of Hennecart and Masnou-Seeuws as input, prove successful in reproducing experimental results.

Research Organization:
Physics Department, Eindhoven University of Technology, Postbox 513, NL-5600chemically bondMB Eindhoven, The Netherlands
OSTI ID:
5310404
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. A; (United States) Vol. 37:9; ISSN PLRAA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English