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Highly excited states of atomic potassium in an external electric field

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:6280458
The photoionization spectrum of potassium in an external electric field is examined. Detailed studies are made of the strengths, spacing and polarization dependence of the quasi-bound Stark states lying above E = O. The results are interpreted as the first observation of electric field enhanced collisional depolarization by charged particles. This conclusion is supported by calculations indicating a depolarizing cross section as large as 10 V cmS for the conditions of the experiment.
Research Organization:
Illinois Univ., Urbana (USA)
OSTI ID:
6280458
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English