Polarization-dependent Mg(3p{sup 1}P{sub 1}{r_arrow}5s{sup 1}S{sub 0}, 4d{sup 1}D{sub 2}){endash}rare-gas-atom excited-state optical collisions: Experiment and theory
- Physics Department, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia 23529 (United States)
- Department of Theoretical Physics, St. Petersburg State Technical University, 195251 St. Petersburg (Russia)
Experimental spectra for excited-state optical collisions between Mg(3p{sup 1}P{sub 1}) atoms and rare-gas atoms are presented. Aligned Mg atoms are produced in the 3p{sup 1}P{sub 1} level by excitation with linearly polarized light. Collisions between the excited metal atoms and Ne or Ar rare-gas atoms are probed in a 1000-cm{sup {minus}1} range in the vicinity of the Mg 3p{sup 1}P{sub 1}{r_arrow}5s{sup 1}S{sub 0} and 3p{sup 1}P{sub 1}{r_arrow}4d{sup 1}D{sub 2} transitions. The probe radiation is linearly polarized either along or perpendicular to the alignment axis, leading to a linear polarization for the optical collision process as a function of detuning of the probe from the atomic resonances. Substantial spectral variation of the linear polarization reflects the different molecular transitions responsible for the excitation process, and the evolution of the atomic alignment into the molecular regime. In the present case, the transitions correspond to excitation from the Mg{endash}rare-gas 3p{sup 1}{Pi}{sub 1} and 3p{sup 1}{Sigma}{sub 0}{sup +} molecular terms to the 5s{sup 1}{Sigma}{sub 0}{sup +}, 4d{sup 1}{Delta}{sub 2}, 4d{sup 1}{Pi}{sub 1}, and 4d{sup 1}{Sigma}{sub 0}{sup +} terms. Experimental details of the approach, and the results obtained, will be described. Discussion of the polarization spectra is made through theoretical modeling focusing on the effects of the symmetry of the molecular states involved in the process. The modeling employs the semiclassical theory developed earlier. For a range of qualitatively correct interaction potentials and corresponding Condon points for the photo-excitation channels, good agreement between experiment and theoretical estimates is obtained. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
- OSTI ID:
- 538513
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review A, Journal Name: Physical Review A Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 56; ISSN 1050-2947; ISSN PLRAAN
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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