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

Simple analytical formulas for collisional l mixing, n changing, and ionization of Rydberg atoms with neutral particles at thermal energy

L. Petitjean, F. Gounand

Published Dec 1, 1984• 40 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Simple analytical formulas are given that allow the rapid estimation of cross sections for $l$ mixing, $n$ changing, and ionization of Rydberg atoms with atomic and molecular targets. These formulas are derived by using the quasifree-electron model and the impulse approximation. The $l$ dependence of the cross section is accounted for only via the atomic energy. The quasielastic process of angular-momentum mixing caused by either the short- or long-range interaction between the Rydberg electron and the neutral perturber is studied and the corresponding cross sections are evaluated. The Rydberg-atom---molecule inelastic transitions ($n$ changing and ionization) caused by the ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-dipole or ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-quadrupole interaction are investigated. It is shown that the $n$-changing reactions occur via quasiresonant internal-energy transfer between the two colliding partners. The influence of the relevant physical parameters is clearly stated for the three types of interaction (short-range, ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-dipole, ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$-quadrupole). Comparison with more sophisticated approaches and experimental data shows that the accuracy of the formulas is about a factor of 2.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.30.2946

Related papers

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

Free electron model for collisional angular momentum mixing of high Rydberg atoms

B. Kaulakys

Simple analytical expressions for the cross sections of nl to n'l' transitions from Rydberg-neutral inelastic collisions are obtained on the basis of the free electron model for electron-perturber scattering. The dependences of the electron-perturber scattering amplitude on the electron momentum and scattering angle are allowed for. The analytical results agree well with available numerical calculations. The analysis of the equations obtained yields a conclusion that the cross sections at l<or=l' depend weakly on l and l' for degenerate states and are proportional to the statistical weights of the final states for transitions with large energy defects.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Mar 14, 1991•57 citations

Analytical expressions for cross sections of Rydberg-neutral inelastic collisions

B. Kaulakys

The author obtains simple analytical expressions for the cross sections of the state-changing and ionisation collisions of Rydberg atoms with neutral atomic particles due to the Rydberg-electron-perturber interaction. The theoretical investigation is based on the impulse approximation and binary encounter approach for the form factor. The earlier results of Alekseev and Sobel'man (1965) and Omont (1977) turn out to be the limiting cases of the author's expressions. The calculated quenching cross sections for the Rydberg states agree well with experimental results and numerical calculations.

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics•Mar 28, 1985•60 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

State-changing collisions between Xenon Rydberg atoms and neutral targets

Higgs, Charles

Thermal collisions between laser excited Xe(nf) Rydberg atoms and a variety of neutral atomic and molecular targets have been investigated. In Xe(nf)-HF collisions, n-changing, 4-changing and collisional ionization were observed. For n = 26 and 27, absolute collisional cross sections for these processes have been determined using time-resolved selective field ionization. In addition, the first evidence of molecular rotational excitation through the transfer of energy of electronic excitation from a Rydberg atom is presented. In Xe(nf) - Xe, Kr, Ar, CO2, CO and N2 collisions the dominant mechanism was observed to be 4-changing: no evidence of n-changing or collisional ionization was apparent. Absolute collisional cross sections have been determined for a range of n between 24 and 37. Comparison of these cross sections with those obtained using a theoretical model in which effects due to the Rydberg core are ignored appears to lead to satisfactory results only for Xe, Kr and CO2, whereas when core effects are included satisfactory agreement between experiment and theory is found in all cases.

•Jan 1, 1982•0 citations

Inelastic transitions between the fine-structure components of Rydberg atoms in collisions with neutral particles

Владимир Сергеевич Лебедев

The theory of the J-mixing process for thermal collisions between Rydberg atoms and neutral particles has been developed in the impulse approximation using the formalism of spherical tensor operators and the WKB approximation. The authors have derived a simple formula for the cross section of inelastic nlJ to nlJ' transitions, which provides the dependence on the principal n and orbital l quantum numbers, relative velocity V and the energy defect of the fine-structure splitting. The analytical results obtained are in good agreement with the available experimental data and numerical calculations.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Mar 14, 1992•9 citations
Simple analytical formulas are given that allow the rapid estimation of cross sections for lll mixing, nnn changing, and ionization of Rydberg atoms with atomic and molecular targets. These formulas are derived by using the quasifree-electron model and the impulse approximation. The lll dependence of the cross section is accounted for only via the atomic energy. The quasielastic process of angular-momentum mixing caused by either the short- or long-range interaction between the Rydberg electron and the neutral perturber is studied and the corresponding cross sections are evaluated. The Rydberg-atom---molecule inelastic transitions (nnn changing and ionization) caused by the e\ensuremath−{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}e\ensuremath−-dipole or e\ensuremath−{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}e\ensuremath−-quadrupole interaction are investigated. It is shown that the nnn-changing reactions occur via quasiresonant internal-energy transfer between the two colliding partners. The influence of the relevant physical parameters is clearly stated for the three types of interaction (short-range, e\ensuremath−{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}e\ensuremath−-dipole, e\ensuremath−{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}e\ensuremath−-quadrupole). Comparison with more sophisticated approaches and experimental data shows that the accuracy of the formulas is about a factor of 2.
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.
Simple analytical expressions for the cross sections of nl to n'l' transitions from Rydberg-neutral inelastic collisions are obtained on the basis of the free electron model for electron-perturber scattering. The dependences of the electron-perturber scattering amplitude on the electron momentum and scattering angle are allowed for. The analytical results agree well with available numerical calculations. The analysis of the equations obtained yields a conclusion that the cross sections at l<or=l' depend weakly on l and l' for degenerate states and are proportional to the statistical weights of the final states for transitions with large energy defects.
The author obtains simple analytical expressions for the cross sections of the state-changing and ionisation collisions of Rydberg atoms with neutral atomic particles due to the Rydberg-electron-perturber interaction. The theoretical investigation is based on the impulse approximation and binary encounter approach for the form factor. The earlier results of Alekseev and Sobel'man (1965) and Omont (1977) turn out to be the limiting cases of the author's expressions. The calculated quenching cross sections for the Rydberg states agree well with experimental results and numerical calculations.
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.
Thermal collisions between laser excited Xe(nf) Rydberg atoms and a variety of neutral atomic and molecular targets have been investigated. In Xe(nf)-HF collisions, n-changing, 4-changing and collisional ionization were observed. For n = 26 and 27, absolute collisional cross sections for these processes have been determined using time-resolved selective field ionization. In addition, the first evidence of molecular rotational excitation through the transfer of energy of electronic excitation from a Rydberg atom is presented. In Xe(nf) - Xe, Kr, Ar, CO2, CO and N2 collisions the dominant mechanism was observed to be 4-changing: no evidence of n-changing or collisional ionization was apparent. Absolute collisional cross sections have been determined for a range of n between 24 and 37. Comparison of these cross sections with those obtained using a theoretical model in which effects due to the Rydberg core are ignored appears to lead to satisfactory results only for Xe, Kr and CO2, whereas when core effects are included satisfactory agreement between experiment and theory is found in all cases.
The theory of the J-mixing process for thermal collisions between Rydberg atoms and neutral particles has been developed in the impulse approximation using the formalism of spherical tensor operators and the WKB approximation. The authors have derived a simple formula for the cross section of inelastic nlJ to nlJ' transitions, which provides the dependence on the principal n and orbital l quantum numbers, relative velocity V and the energy defect of the fine-structure splitting. The analytical results obtained are in good agreement with the available experimental data and numerical calculations.