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

Physical Review A

Satellite Bands in Alkali-Atom Spectra

Gerald Dennis Mahan

Published Oct 1, 1972• 17 citations
Publisher

Abstract

A theoretical calculation is presented for absorption-line profiles of alkali-metal atomic spectra. The red- and violet-satellite bands caused by interactions with noble-gas perturbing atoms are discussed in detail. The statistical theory is used in calculating absorption profiles. It is shown that the pair-distribution function between atoms has an important, and temperature-dependent, influence on the red-satellite bands.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.6.1273

Related papers

Theory of Pressure Effects on Alkali Doublet Lines

Lewis S. Klein, Henry Margenau

Experiments have revealed that pressures of noble gases cause bands to appear in both the red and violet wings of the alkali doublet lines. The present paper is devoted to the explanation of these bands and to the shift and shape of the doublet lines which they accompany. In order to examine various qualitative proposals previously put forth to this end, we first ascertain the validity of the statistical theory as applied to the magnetic substates of the alkali resonance lines and develop a criterion for adiabaticity. This criterion indicates that the earlier theories are inadequate. Shift and broadening of the two components of the alkali doublet lines are then calculated as functions of noble gas density by considering the van der Waals energy perturbation due to n simultaneously acting perturbers. The conclusion, which is in agreement with experiments, is that the P322 resonance line is shifted and broadened more than the 2P½ resonance line at moderate pressures. A phenomenological approach is used to construct a more reasonable theory of the ``satellite'' bands. In the absence of reliable knowledge concerning the repulsive portions of the interaction curves, only a semiquantitative understanding of the data is achieved.

The Journal of Chemical Physics•Jun 1, 1959•42 citations

Pseudopotential analysis on hyperfine splitting frequency shift of alkali-metal atoms in noble gases, revisited

Kiyoshi Ishikawa

Theoretical pseudopotentials and dispersion potentials are used to study ground-state hyperfine splitting frequencies of alkali-metal atoms (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) in noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) in all combinations. With a single fitting parameter, calculations based on first-order perturbation theory qualitatively present each temperature dependence of the measured frequency shift. With this parameter and excitation energies of alkali-metal and noble-gas atoms, the hyperfine splitting frequency of alkali-metal atoms is suitable for investigating the properties of noble-gas atoms, such as the s-wave scattering length of electrons, the electric-dipole polarizability, and the van der Waals radius. This study suggests the possibility of improving excitation energies and van der Waals potentials of colliding pairs.

The Journal of Chemical Physics•Feb 9, 2023•4 citations

Investigation on three-body Cs-noble-gas interaction and secondary satellites

Kay Niemax

The fluorescent spectra of the Cs principal series lines 4555 and 4593 AA (72P32,1/2/-62S12/) broadened by Kr and Xe were measured up to perturber gas densities of about 4.9*1019 cm-3. In addition, the absorption spectra of the Cs principal series line 3876 AA (62S12/-82P32/) broadened by Xe (1.63*1018<or=NX3<or=1.9*1019 cm-3) were investigated. The existence of secondary satellites was established. The intensity dependence of the quasistatic wings is discussed and qualitatively explained by competitive additive two- and three-body interactions.

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics•May 14, 1980•5 citations

Far-wing profile of photoabsorption spectra of Na(3s–3p) atoms perturbed by helium

Kamel Alioua, Moncef Bouledroua, Abdul-Rahman Allouche +1 more

The far wings of the sodium spectra arising from the collisional broadening of the D lines by ground helium atoms are investigated theoretically. The required X2Σ+, A2Π and B2Σ+ potential-energy curves and transition dipole moments have been generated from ab initio CASSCF-MRCI calculations to determine, within the framework of the semiclassical and full quantum-mechanical approaches, the temperature-dependent photoabsorption spectra. The profile is dominated by the free–free transitions at all temperatures ranging from 500 K to 3000 K and the computations show the existence of a satellite structure in the blue wing attributed to the X → B transitions. The satellites occur around the wavelength position 520 nm when the calculations are performed classically and around 528 nm when they are performed quantum mechanically. The results are in good accordance with those produced by other theoretical and experimental works.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Aug 26, 2008•17 citations

Spin-Rotation Interaction of Noble-Gas Alkali-Metal Atom Pairs

Z. Wu, Thad G Walker, W. Happer

Recent experimental data show that the spin-rotation coupling for alkali-metal-noble-gas van der Waals molecules is mainly due to the spin-orbit interaction of the alkali-metal valence electron within the core of the noble gas. We present a simple formula which accounts very well for the systematic variation of the spin-rotation interaction with different noble-gas or alkali-metal atoms.

Physical Review Letters•Apr 29, 1985•50 citations

Absorption profiles of alkali-metalDlines in the presence of a static magnetic field

Pierre‐Luc Tremblay, A. Michaud, M. Levesque +4 more

When atoms are placed in a static magnetic field, they undergo shifts of their energy levels and changes in their transition probabilities. These two effects must be taken into account when considering absorption profiles of alkali-metal D lines, which result from the contribution of many transitions influenced by the laser spectrum and Doppler broadening. The model presented here gives the D-line absorption coefficients of alkali-metal vapors in the presence of an arbitrary static magneitc field. They are evaluated considering various laser polarizations. Experimental measurements of D-line absorption profiles for $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$, $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$, and $^{133}\mathrm{Cs}$ isotopes show excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.

Physical Review A•Sep 1, 1990•114 citations
A theoretical calculation is presented for absorption-line profiles of alkali-metal atomic spectra. The red- and violet-satellite bands caused by interactions with noble-gas perturbing atoms are discussed in detail. The statistical theory is used in calculating absorption profiles. It is shown that the pair-distribution function between atoms has an important, and temperature-dependent, influence on the red-satellite bands.
Experiments have revealed that pressures of noble gases cause bands to appear in both the red and violet wings of the alkali doublet lines. The present paper is devoted to the explanation of these bands and to the shift and shape of the doublet lines which they accompany. In order to examine various qualitative proposals previously put forth to this end, we first ascertain the validity of the statistical theory as applied to the magnetic substates of the alkali resonance lines and develop a criterion for adiabaticity. This criterion indicates that the earlier theories are inadequate. Shift and broadening of the two components of the alkali doublet lines are then calculated as functions of noble gas density by considering the van der Waals energy perturbation due to n simultaneously acting perturbers. The conclusion, which is in agreement with experiments, is that the P322 resonance line is shifted and broadened more than the 2P½ resonance line at moderate pressures. A phenomenological approach is used to construct a more reasonable theory of the ``satellite'' bands. In the absence of reliable knowledge concerning the repulsive portions of the interaction curves, only a semiquantitative understanding of the data is achieved.
Theoretical pseudopotentials and dispersion potentials are used to study ground-state hyperfine splitting frequencies of alkali-metal atoms (Li, Na, K, Rb, and Cs) in noble gases (He, Ne, Ar, Kr, and Xe) in all combinations. With a single fitting parameter, calculations based on first-order perturbation theory qualitatively present each temperature dependence of the measured frequency shift. With this parameter and excitation energies of alkali-metal and noble-gas atoms, the hyperfine splitting frequency of alkali-metal atoms is suitable for investigating the properties of noble-gas atoms, such as the s-wave scattering length of electrons, the electric-dipole polarizability, and the van der Waals radius. This study suggests the possibility of improving excitation energies and van der Waals potentials of colliding pairs.
The fluorescent spectra of the Cs principal series lines 4555 and 4593 AA (72P32,1/2/-62S12/) broadened by Kr and Xe were measured up to perturber gas densities of about 4.9*1019 cm-3. In addition, the absorption spectra of the Cs principal series line 3876 AA (62S12/-82P32/) broadened by Xe (1.63*1018<or=NX3<or=1.9*1019 cm-3) were investigated. The existence of secondary satellites was established. The intensity dependence of the quasistatic wings is discussed and qualitatively explained by competitive additive two- and three-body interactions.
The far wings of the sodium spectra arising from the collisional broadening of the D lines by ground helium atoms are investigated theoretically. The required X2Σ+, A2Π and B2Σ+ potential-energy curves and transition dipole moments have been generated from ab initio CASSCF-MRCI calculations to determine, within the framework of the semiclassical and full quantum-mechanical approaches, the temperature-dependent photoabsorption spectra. The profile is dominated by the free–free transitions at all temperatures ranging from 500 K to 3000 K and the computations show the existence of a satellite structure in the blue wing attributed to the X → B transitions. The satellites occur around the wavelength position 520 nm when the calculations are performed classically and around 528 nm when they are performed quantum mechanically. The results are in good accordance with those produced by other theoretical and experimental works.
When atoms are placed in a static magnetic field, they undergo shifts of their energy levels and changes in their transition probabilities. These two effects must be taken into account when considering absorption profiles of alkali-metal D lines, which result from the contribution of many transitions influenced by the laser spectrum and Doppler broadening. The model presented here gives the D-line absorption coefficients of alkali-metal vapors in the presence of an arbitrary static magneitc field. They are evaluated considering various laser polarizations. Experimental measurements of D-line absorption profiles for 85Rb^{85}\mathrm{Rb}85Rb, 87Rb^{87}\mathrm{Rb}87Rb, and 133Cs^{133}\mathrm{Cs}133Cs isotopes show excellent agreement with theoretical predictions.