Applying the cw laser absorption and fluorescence method the cross sections for the fine-structure mixing and quenching of the caesium 5D J states have been measured in pure caesium vapour. Caesium atoms were optically excited to the 5D 5/2 state via the quadrupole-allowed 6S 1/2 →5D 5/2 transition. The ground-state caesium density N 0 , obtained from the absorption at the pumped quadrupole transition, and the fluorescence intensity I 689 of the sensitized 5D 3/2 →6S 1/2 emission were measured simultaneously in the range 3×10 14 cm -3 ⩽ N 0 ⩽1×10 16 cm -3 at constant temperature T = 585 K. It was found that the quantity N 0 2 / I 689 exhibited a parabolic dependence on N 0 , confirming that the quenching of the Cs 5D J states is due to collisions with Cs ground-state atoms, not molecules. The coefficients of the second-order polynomial fitted through the measured data yielded the cross sections σ 5/2→3/2 = (57±19)×10 -16 cm 2 and σ D = (35±10)×10 -16 cm 2 for the Cs 5D J fine-structure mixing and quenching, respectively, due to collisions with caesium ground-state atoms. Using recently calculated Cs*+Cs potentials we performed an analysis which shows good agreement between the measured values and the theoretical predictions.
Applying the cw laser absorption and fluorescence method the cross sections for the fine-structure mixing and quenching of the caesium 5D J states have been measured in pure caesium vapour. Caesium atoms were optically excited to the 5D 5/2 state via the quadrupole-allowed 6S 1/2 →5D 5/2 transition. The ground-state caesium density N 0 , obtained from the absorption at the pumped quadrupole transition, and the fluorescence intensity I 689 of the sensitized 5D 3/2 →6S 1/2 emission were measured simultaneously in the range 3×10 14 cm -3 ⩽ N 0 ⩽1×10 16 cm -3 at constant temperature T = 585 K. It was found that the quantity N 0 2 / I 689 exhibited a parabolic dependence on N 0 , confirming that the quenching of the Cs 5D J states is due to collisions with Cs ground-state atoms, not molecules. The coefficients of the second-order polynomial fitted through the measured data yielded the cross sections σ 5/2→3/2 = (57±19)×10 -16 cm 2 and σ D = (35±10)×10 -16 cm 2 for the Cs 5D J fine-structure mixing and quenching, respectively, due to collisions with caesium ground-state atoms. Using recently calculated Cs*+Cs potentials we performed an analysis which shows good agreement between the measured values and the theoretical predictions.
Applying the cw laser fluorescence method, the cross sections for the fine structure mixing and quenching of the Cs 6P state, induced by collisions with ground-state caesium atoms and molecules, have been measured. Caesium atoms were optically excited to the 5D J states via quadrupole-allowed 6S 1/2 5D J transitions, while the resonance states were populated by the radiative and collisional 5D J 6P J transitions. The relative populations of the Cs 6P J sublevels, as well as ratio of the 5D 3/2 to 6P 3/2 populations, were measured as a function of the caesium ground-state number density. From these measurements we obtained the cross section of (14±5) × 10 -16 cm 2 at T = 585 K for the process Cs(6P 1/2 ) Cs(6P 3/2 ) induced by collisions with ground-state caesium atoms. The applied experimental approach enabled the determination of the effective spontaneous rates for the 6P J states which are in agreement with the predictions of Holstein's theory. The cross sections for quenching of 6P J by caesium atoms and molecules were measured at T = 635 K and the obtained values are (1.6±1.4) × 10 -16 cm 2 and (1210±260) × 10 -16 cm 2 , respectively. Using recently calculated Cs*+Cs potentials we performed an analysis which shows a good agreement between the measured values and the theoretical estimates.
By applying the laser absorption and fluorescence method,the cross sections for the fine structure mixing and quenching of the Cs(6P) state,induced by collision with He atoms,have been measured.Cesium atoms were optically excited to the 6P3/2 state.The excited atom density and spatial distribution were mapped by monitoring the absorption of a counterpropagating single mode laser beam,which was tuned to the 6PJ→8S1/2 transitions.The effective radiative rates were calculated for the 6PJ→6S transitions.The fluorescence intensity I895 of the sensitized 6P1/2→6S1/2 emission was measured as a function of He density in the range 0.5×1018～4×1018cm-3 at constant temperature T=337 K.It was found that the quantity N/I895 exhibited a parabolic dependence on N,confirming that the quenching of the 6PJ states was due to collision with He atoms,not ground state Cs atoms.The coefficients of the second-order polynomial fitted through the measured data yielded the cross sections σ3/2→1/2=(1.46±0.51)×10-19 cm2 and σD=(2.28±0.80)×10-18 cm2 for the 6PJ fine structure mixing and quenching,respectively,due to collision with He atoms.
We report the results of a series of pulsed and cw laser experiments which measure spontaneous and effective lifetimes of the Cs(5DJ) levels and investigate excitation-transfer collisions involving Cs(5DJ) atoms and ground-state-cesium perturbers. With cw excitation of the dipole-forbidden but electric-quadrupole-allowed 6S1/2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}5D5/2 transition, we monitor the ratio of sensitized to direct fluorescence, i.e., I5D3/2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6P1/2/I5D5/2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6P3/2. A rate-equation analysis of these data yields values for the Cs(5D5/2)+Cs(6S)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}Cs(5D3/2)+Cs(6S) excitation-transfer rate, and for the rate of quenching of Cs(5D) by ground-state perturbers. The role of out-of-multiplet quenching is discussed at length, and we have demonstrated that quenching by ground-state atoms dominates over that by cesium dimers under these conditions. In the pulsed-laser experiments, the temporal evolution of the 5DJ\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6S and cascade 6PJ\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6S fluorescence was observed following either direct forbidden-line pumping of one fine-structure level, or indirect excitation of both fine-structure levels (i.e., molecular excitation followed by predissociation). Analysis of the buildup and decay rates of the various levels as a function of cesium density yields values for the natural lifetimes of the Cs(5DJ) levels, as well as for the excitation transfer and quenching rates. Best values for the lifetimes and cross sections for Cs-Cs collisions obtained from these combined experiments are \ensuremath{\tau}5D=1250\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}115 ns, \ensuremath{\sigma}5/2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3/2=36\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}8 \AA{}2, and \ensuremath{\sigma}5D=30\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3 \AA{}2. In addition, numbers for the 6P level-quenching cross sections due to collisions with Cs atoms and Cs2 molecules, respectively, were obtained: \ensuremath{\sigma}6P(Cs)=6.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.0 \AA{}2 and \ensuremath{\sigma}6P(Cs2)=863\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}260 \AA{}2. In the discussion, we show how these new values can be used to reconcile the seemingly discrepant results of several previous studies.
Applying the CW laser absorption and fluorescence method,the cross sections for the fine structure mixing and quenching of the Rb(5P)state,induced by collision with N2 molecules,have been measured.Cesium atoms were optically excited to the 5P3/2 state.The excited atom density and spatial distribution were mapped by monitoring the absorption of a counterpropagating single mode laser beam,turned to the 5PJ→7S1/2 transitions.The effective radiative rates were calculated for the 5PJ→5S transitions.The fluorescence intensity I794 of the sensitized 5P1/2→5S1/2 emission was measured as a function of N2 density in the range 0.5×1016N4×1016cm-3 at constant temperature T=340 K.It was found that the quantity N/I794 exhibited a parabolic dependence on N,confirming that the quenching of the 5PJ states is due to collision with N2 molecules,not Rb ground state atoms.The coefficients of the second-order polynomial fitted through the measured data yielded the cross sections σ3/2→1/2=(10.43±3.54)×10-16cm2 and σD=(9.8±3.4)×10-16cm2 for the 5PJ fine-structure mixing and quenching,respectively,due to collision with N2 atoms.Our values for these cross sections are in agreement,within combined error bars,with values we have recently obtained under different experimental conditions.
Applying the CW laser absorption and fluorescence method, the cross sections for the fine structure mixing and quenching of the Cs(6P) state, induced by collision with N2 molecules, were measured. Cesium atoms were optically excited to the 6P3/2 state. The excited atom density and spatial distribution were mapped by monitoring the absorption of a counterpropagating single mode laser beam, tuned to the 6P1 --> 8S(1/2) transitions, which could be translated parallel to the pump beam. The transmission factors, which describe the average probability that photons emitted within the fluorescence detection region can pass through the optically thick vapor without being absorbed, were calculated for 6P --> 6S(1/2) transitions. The N2 caused line broadening and therefore increased the effective pumping rate and radiative rates. The effective radiative rates were calculated for the 6P(J) --> 6S transitions. The fluorescence intensity I895 of the sensitized 6P(1/2) --> 6S(1/2) emission was measured as a function of N2 density in the range 2 x 10(16) < N < 1.4 x 10(17) cm(-3) at a constant temperature T = 337 K, which produced cesium density N0 = 1.25 x 10(12) cm(-3). The transparency of the cell was obtained by the absorption of light beam passing the cell. The transparency is not a simple function of N2 density. It was found that the quantity N/I895 (I895 being corrected for the cell transparency) exhibited a parabolic dependence on N, confirming that the quenching of the 6P(J) states is due to collision with N2 molecules instead of Cs ground state atoms. The coefficients of the second-order polynomial fitted through the measured data yielded the cross sections sigma3/2 --> 1/2 = (0.42 +/- 0.17) x 10(-16) cm2 and sigmaD = (1.31 +/- 0.52) x 10(-16) cm2 for the 6P(J) fine-structure mixing and quenching, respectively, due to collision with N2 molecules. The quenching rate coefficient is about 3 times larger than the rate coefficient for the fine-structure mixing. Our values for these cross sections are in agreement, within combined error bars, with the values we have recently obtained under different experimental conditions.
Applying the cw laser absorption and fluorescence method,the cross sections for the fine structure mixing and quenching of the Rb(5PJ) state,induced by collisions with He atoms have been measured,Rubidium atoms were optically excited to 5 P3/2states.The excited atom density and spatial distribution were mapped by monitoring the absorption of a counterpropagating single mode laser beam,tuned to the 5PJ→ 7S1/2 transitions.Transmission factors were calculated for the 5PJ→ 5S transitions.The fluorescence intensity I795 of the sensitized 5P1/2→ 5S1/2emission was measured as a function of He density in the range 0.5×1017 N 4× 1017cm-3at constant temperature T = 340 K.It was found that the quantity N/ I795 exhibited a parabolic dependence on N,confirming that the quenching of the 5PJ states is due to collision with He atoms,not due to Rb ground state atoms.The coefficients of the second-order polynomial fitted through the measured date yielded the cross sectionsσ3/2→1/2=(1.84± 0.61)× 10-17cm2 andσD=(1.07± 0.30)× 10-17cm2 for the 5PJfine-structure mixing and quenching,respectively,due to collision with He atoms.