Classical model for angular momentum mixing of Rydberg states

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1991 · Physical Review, A; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.43.110· OSTI ID:6203715

Burkhardt, C E; Leventhal, J J ^[1]

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1. Department of Physics, University of Missouri-St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri 63121 (US)

A classical model for {ital l} mixing of Rydberg states in atomic collisions is described. The primary assumption of the model is that {ital l} changing occurs in a single hard-sphere collision between the Rydberg electron and the perturbing atom which is represented by the zero-energy scattering length {ital L}. Predictions of the model, which are in the form of cross sections as functions of principal quantum number {ital n}, are compared with data for {ital l} mixing of Na({ital nd}) and Rb({ital nf}) by rare-gas atoms. Agreement is, in most cases, quite good, comparable with that of other, more sophisticated, models. It is shown that, because the calculation must be carried out in the reference frame of the ion core, the energy deficit between low angular momentum states and the nearest hydrogenic manifold can be made up in a single collision between the Rydberg electron and the perturbing atom, an effect that is analogous to the gravitational slingshot effect used to alter the orbits of a spacecraft under the influence of the Sun's gravitational field. Comparison of data for {ital l} mixing by ground-state Rb atoms with model calculations in which {ital L} is treated as a free parameter leads to an estimate of 10 a.u. for the zero-energy scattering length of Rb.

• OSTI ID: 6203715
• Journal Information: Physical Review, A; (USA), Vol. 43:1; ISSN 1050-2947
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
RARE GASES
ATOM-ATOM COLLISIONS
RUBIDIUM
SODIUM
ANGULAR MOMENTUM TRANSFER
CONFIGURATION MIXING
CORRELATIONS
CROSS SECTIONS
QUANTUM NUMBERS
RYDBERG STATES
ALKALI METALS
ATOM COLLISIONS
COLLISIONS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
FLUIDS
GASES
INTERACTIONS
METALS
MOMENTUM TRANSFER
NONMETALS
640304* - Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics- Collision Phenomena