Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics

Theory of fine structure transitions in excited rubidium atoms colliding with rare gas atoms

Martin B. Hidalgo, S. Geltman

Published Feb 1, 1972• 10 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A theoretical model is presented for the interaction between an alkali atom in the first excited 2 P state and a ground state rare gas atom, which is effective in causing transitions among the alkali fine structure states. The main difference from previously used models is a more detailed treatment of short range effects including deviations from straight line paths in the semiclassical treatment. An application to the case of Rb interacting with He, Ne, Ar, and Kr gives results for the depolarization and inelastic cross sections which are in reasonable accord with experiment.

DOI
10.1088/0022-3700/5/2/023

Related papers

Sensitized Fluorescence in Vapors of Alkali Atoms. XIII. 62P1/2−62P3/2 Excitation Transfer in Rubidium, Induced in Collisions with Noble Gas Atoms

I. N. Siara, E. S. Hrycyshyn, L. Krause

The cross sections for excitation transfer between the 62P fine-structure substates in rubidium, induced in collisions with noble gas atoms, have been determined in a series of sensitized fluorescence experiments. Mixtures of rubidium vapor and noble gases at pressures varying in the range 0–5 Torr were irradiated with each component of the second 2P rubidium doublet in turn and the following cross sections for 2P mixing were obtained from measurements of sensitised-to-resonance fluorescent intensity ratios. Rb–He: Q12(2P1/2 → 2P3/2) = 29.3 Å2; Q21(2P1/2 ← 2P3/2) = 19.0 Å2. Rb–Ne: Q12 = 10.3 Å2; Q21 = 6.4 Å2. Rb–Ar: Q12 = 24.0 Å2; Q21 = 14.9 Å2. Rb–Kr: Q12 = 23.2 Å2; Q21 = 14.6 Å2. Rb–Xe: Q12 = 43.9 Å2; Q21 = 27.7 Å2 In their dependence on the magnitude of the fine-structure splitting, the values are consistent with previously determined cross sections for mixing in the first and third 2P doublets of alkali atoms.

Canadian Journal of Physics•Aug 15, 1972•19 citations

The role of adiabaticity in alkali atom-fine structure mixing

Ben Eshel, David E. Weeks, Glen P. Perram

Fine-structure mixing cross-sections for the alkalis in collisions with the rare gases are reviewed. Included in the review are all the rare gases in collisions with all of the first excited state of the alkalis, the second excited state for K, Rb and Cs and the third excited state for Rb and Cs. The cross-sections are converted to probabilities for energy transfer using a quantum-defect calculated cross-section and are then presented as a function of adiabaticity. The data shows a clear decreasing trend with adiabaticity but secondary factors prevent the probabilities from decreasing as quickly as expected. Polarizability is introduced as a proxy for the secondary influences on the data as it increases with both rare gas partner and alkali excited state. The polarizability is shown to cause the probability of fine structure transition to be higher than expected. An empirical model is introduced and fit to the data. Future work will develop a model using time-independent perturbation theory in order to further develop a physical rational for the dependence of fine structure cross sections on adiabaticity and to further understand the secondary influences on the probability for fine structure transition.

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIE•Feb 25, 2014•4 citations

Inelastic collisions between selectively excited rubidium atoms and ground-state rubidium atoms

R. H. Hill, Hans A. Schuessler, Byron George Zollars

Inelastic-collision processes in fine-structure-changing collisions have been studied by selective stepwise excitation and observation of the resulting fluorescence. Hereby, the effect of ground-state rubidium atoms colliding with excited-state rubidium atoms was investigated. The ground-state density was changed by three orders of magnitude by performing the measurements over the temperature range of 75 to 200 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The cross section for fine-structure-changing collisions [i.e., $\mathrm{Rb}({6}^{2}{D}_{\frac{5}{2}})+\mathrm{Rb}({5}^{2}{S}_{\frac{1}{2}})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Rb}({6}^{2}{D}_{\frac{3}{2}})+\mathrm{Rb}({5}^{2}{S}_{\frac{1}{2}})$] is ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{fs}}=(1.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. The cross sections for transfer out of the fine-structure doublet [i.e., $\mathrm{Rb}({6}^{2}D)+\mathrm{Rb}({5}^{2}{S}_{\frac{1}{2}})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{states}\mathrm{other}\mathrm{than}\mathrm{Rb}({6}^{2}D)$] is ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tr}}=(3.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$. It is demonstrated that for the intermediate excited rubidium states, both the fine-structure-changing and transfer cross sections are of the order of the geometrical cross section of the excited rubidium states.

Physical Review A•Feb 1, 1982•10 citations

Inelastic collisions between selectively excited rubidium 6D2 -state atoms and noble-gas atoms: Fine-structure-state mixing

Byron George Zollars, Hans A. Schuessler, Joel Wm. Parker +1 more

Inelastic collisional processes in fine-structure-state mixing have been studied by selective stepwise excitation and observation of the resulting fluorescence during collisions of excited rubidium $6^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}}$ state atoms with various noble-gas atoms. It is shown that for intermediately excited rubidium atoms the fine-structure-state mixing cross sections are generally increasing from helium to xexon. The cross sections for the process $\mathrm{Rb}(6^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}})+A(n^{1}S_{0})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Rb}(6^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}})+A(n^{1}S_{0})+\ensuremath{\Delta}E$ have the values ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{fs}}^{*}=2.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9, 3.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.2, 2.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0, 5.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.2, \mathrm{and} 9.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5.6$ in units of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$, where $A$ denotes in sequence any one of the noble gas atoms He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe, respectively. Transfer cross sections for the transfer of excited Rb$6^{2}D$-state atoms out of the doublet were also determined and are about an order of magnitude smaller than the fine-structure-mixing cross sections.

Physical Review A•Sep 1, 1983•9 citations

Inelastic and quasielastic collisions of Rydberg atoms with the heavy rare-gas atoms

Владимир Сергеевич Лебедев, I. I. Fabrikant

A theory of inelastic n,l-changing and quasielastic l-mixing collisions of Rydberg atoms with the heavy rare-gas atoms is developed. It is based on the semiclassical impact-parameter approach combined with the normalized perturbation theory. Semiclassical formulas for scaled transition probabilities and cross sections as functions of the inelasticity parameter and the collision strength are analyzed. This approach gives a general description of collisional nl\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathit{n}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ transitions independently of the specific values of the principal quantum number, the relative velocity, and the type of colliding atoms. The energy and angular dependence of the electron-atom scattering amplitude is included in the theory by incorporating the impulse-approximation results in the weak-coupling limit. The Ramsauer-Townsend effect affects significantly the values of the cross sections, especially for the inelastic transitions with large energy transfer. The results obtained are used in calculations of the quenching cross sections for the Rb(nS,nD,nF) atoms in collisions with Ar, Kr, and Xe. Comparison of theory and experiment is made in a wide range of the principal quantum numbers and transition energy defects. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.

Physical Review A•Oct 1, 1996•26 citations

Semiclassical calculations of thel-mixing andn,l-changing collisions of Rydberg atoms with rare-gas atoms

Владимир Сергеевич Лебедев, I. I. Fabrikant

Semiclassical calculations of the quasi-elastic l-mixing and inelastic n,l-changing processes in thermal collisions of a Rydberg sodium atom with rare-gas atoms (Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe) as well as and atoms with Ne are presented in a wide range of principal quantum numbers. The main emphasis is put on the study of the effects in the Rydberg-atom - rare-gas-atom collisions associated with both the short- and long-range (polarization) parts of the electron - perturber interaction. It is shown that the polarization interaction between the highly excited electron and the Ne atom provides the major contribution to the cross section of the l-mixing and n, l -changing transitions. We show that the Ramsauer - Townsend effect in slow electron scattering by the heavy rare-gas atoms significantly affects the values of the cross sections, particularly for the inelastic transitions with large energy transfer. A quantitative explanation of these phenomena is given using the recently developed semiclassical normalized perturbation theory for the Rydberg-atom - neutral collisions combined with the modified effective range theory for scattering of slow electrons by the rare-gas atoms.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Jun 14, 1997•19 citations
A theoretical model is presented for the interaction between an alkali atom in the first excited 2 P state and a ground state rare gas atom, which is effective in causing transitions among the alkali fine structure states. The main difference from previously used models is a more detailed treatment of short range effects including deviations from straight line paths in the semiclassical treatment. An application to the case of Rb interacting with He, Ne, Ar, and Kr gives results for the depolarization and inelastic cross sections which are in reasonable accord with experiment.
The cross sections for excitation transfer between the 62P fine-structure substates in rubidium, induced in collisions with noble gas atoms, have been determined in a series of sensitized fluorescence experiments. Mixtures of rubidium vapor and noble gases at pressures varying in the range 0–5 Torr were irradiated with each component of the second 2P rubidium doublet in turn and the following cross sections for 2P mixing were obtained from measurements of sensitised-to-resonance fluorescent intensity ratios. Rb–He: Q12(2P1/2 → 2P3/2) = 29.3 Å2; Q21(2P1/2 ← 2P3/2) = 19.0 Å2. Rb–Ne: Q12 = 10.3 Å2; Q21 = 6.4 Å2. Rb–Ar: Q12 = 24.0 Å2; Q21 = 14.9 Å2. Rb–Kr: Q12 = 23.2 Å2; Q21 = 14.6 Å2. Rb–Xe: Q12 = 43.9 Å2; Q21 = 27.7 Å2 In their dependence on the magnitude of the fine-structure splitting, the values are consistent with previously determined cross sections for mixing in the first and third 2P doublets of alkali atoms.
Fine-structure mixing cross-sections for the alkalis in collisions with the rare gases are reviewed. Included in the review are all the rare gases in collisions with all of the first excited state of the alkalis, the second excited state for K, Rb and Cs and the third excited state for Rb and Cs. The cross-sections are converted to probabilities for energy transfer using a quantum-defect calculated cross-section and are then presented as a function of adiabaticity. The data shows a clear decreasing trend with adiabaticity but secondary factors prevent the probabilities from decreasing as quickly as expected. Polarizability is introduced as a proxy for the secondary influences on the data as it increases with both rare gas partner and alkali excited state. The polarizability is shown to cause the probability of fine structure transition to be higher than expected. An empirical model is introduced and fit to the data. Future work will develop a model using time-independent perturbation theory in order to further develop a physical rational for the dependence of fine structure cross sections on adiabaticity and to further understand the secondary influences on the probability for fine structure transition.
Inelastic-collision processes in fine-structure-changing collisions have been studied by selective stepwise excitation and observation of the resulting fluorescence. Hereby, the effect of ground-state rubidium atoms colliding with excited-state rubidium atoms was investigated. The ground-state density was changed by three orders of magnitude by performing the measurements over the temperature range of 75 to 200 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. The cross section for fine-structure-changing collisions [i.e., $\mathrm{Rb}({6}^{2}{D}_{\frac{5}{2}})+\mathrm{Rb}({5}^{2}{S}_{\frac{1}{2}})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Rb}({6}^{2}{D}_{\frac{3}{2}})+\mathrm{Rb}({5}^{2}{S}_{\frac{1}{2}})$] is ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{fs}}=(1.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm2{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}cm2. The cross sections for transfer out of the fine-structure doublet [i.e., $\mathrm{Rb}({6}^{2}D)+\mathrm{Rb}({5}^{2}{S}_{\frac{1}{2}})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{states}\mathrm{other}\mathrm{than}\mathrm{Rb}({6}^{2}D)$] is ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tr}}=(3.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}13}$ cm2{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}cm2. It is demonstrated that for the intermediate excited rubidium states, both the fine-structure-changing and transfer cross sections are of the order of the geometrical cross section of the excited rubidium states.
Inelastic collisional processes in fine-structure-state mixing have been studied by selective stepwise excitation and observation of the resulting fluorescence during collisions of excited rubidium 62D526^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}}62D25​​ state atoms with various noble-gas atoms. It is shown that for intermediately excited rubidium atoms the fine-structure-state mixing cross sections are generally increasing from helium to xexon. The cross sections for the process $\mathrm{Rb}(6^{2}D_{\frac{5}{2}})+A(n^{1}S_{0})\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\mathrm{Rb}(6^{2}D_{\frac{3}{2}})+A(n^{1}S_{0})+\ensuremath{\Delta}E$ have the values ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{fs}}^{*}=2.4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.9, 3.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.2, 2.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0, 5.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2.2, \mathrm{and} 9.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}5.6$ in units of ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}14}$ cm2{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}cm2, where AAA denotes in sequence any one of the noble gas atoms He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe, respectively. Transfer cross sections for the transfer of excited Rb62D6^{2}D62D-state atoms out of the doublet were also determined and are about an order of magnitude smaller than the fine-structure-mixing cross sections.
A theory of inelastic n,l-changing and quasielastic l-mixing collisions of Rydberg atoms with the heavy rare-gas atoms is developed. It is based on the semiclassical impact-parameter approach combined with the normalized perturbation theory. Semiclassical formulas for scaled transition probabilities and cross sections as functions of the inelasticity parameter and the collision strength are analyzed. This approach gives a general description of collisional nl\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathit{n}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ transitions independently of the specific values of the principal quantum number, the relative velocity, and the type of colliding atoms. The energy and angular dependence of the electron-atom scattering amplitude is included in the theory by incorporating the impulse-approximation results in the weak-coupling limit. The Ramsauer-Townsend effect affects significantly the values of the cross sections, especially for the inelastic transitions with large energy transfer. The results obtained are used in calculations of the quenching cross sections for the Rb(nS,nD,nF) atoms in collisions with Ar, Kr, and Xe. Comparison of theory and experiment is made in a wide range of the principal quantum numbers and transition energy defects. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Semiclassical calculations of the quasi-elastic l-mixing and inelastic n,l-changing processes in thermal collisions of a Rydberg sodium atom with rare-gas atoms (Ne, Ar, Kr and Xe) as well as and atoms with Ne are presented in a wide range of principal quantum numbers. The main emphasis is put on the study of the effects in the Rydberg-atom - rare-gas-atom collisions associated with both the short- and long-range (polarization) parts of the electron - perturber interaction. It is shown that the polarization interaction between the highly excited electron and the Ne atom provides the major contribution to the cross section of the l-mixing and n, l -changing transitions. We show that the Ramsauer - Townsend effect in slow electron scattering by the heavy rare-gas atoms significantly affects the values of the cross sections, particularly for the inelastic transitions with large energy transfer. A quantitative explanation of these phenomena is given using the recently developed semiclassical normalized perturbation theory for the Rydberg-atom - neutral collisions combined with the modified effective range theory for scattering of slow electrons by the rare-gas atoms.