Physical Review A
4D2→4F2 excitation transfer in Li induced by collisions with Li, He, and Ar ground-state atoms
Bernard Dubreuil, Catherine Chaleard
Abstract
Excitation transfers between the $4^{2}D$ and $4^{2}F$ states of lithium are studied in a temperature-controlled heat-pipe oven. These transfers are induced by collisions with Li, He, and Ar ground-state atoms. Quenching cross section and radiative rates are also measured. For the excitation transfer process, the thermally averaged cross sections are, respectively, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{\mathrm{Li}}=400$ ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{2}$, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{\mathrm{He}}=120$ ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{2}$, and ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}^{\mathrm{Ar}}=190$ ${\mathrm{\AA{}}}^{2}$. These values agree with the experimental results of Gallagher in Na and the calculations of Gersten. Finally, the behavior of the $4^{2}D\ensuremath{-}4^{2}F$ two-level system in the $l$-mixing regime is investigated in the case of Ar collisions.