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

Photoionization cross sections for excited laser-cooled cesium atoms

Onofrio M. Maragò, D. Ciampini, F. Fuso, E. Arimondo, C. Gabbanini, Steven Trent Manson

Published Jun 1, 1998• 37 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Losses from a cesium magneto-optical trap induced by an additional laser ionizing the atoms in the ${6P}_{3/2}$ state have been measured as a function of the intensity and frequency of the ionizing laser. The absolute cross section for ionization of the ${6P}_{3/2}$ state has been derived as a function of the wavelength of the ionizing laser. Our values are compared with previous ones and available theoretical predictions. A simple model describing the photoionization processes has been developed.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.57.r4110

Related papers

Measurement of the photoionization cross section of the 6P3/2 state of cesium

Brian M. Patterson, T. Takekoshi, R. J. Knize

We report the measurement of the absolute photoionization cross section for the ${6P}_{3/2}$ state of cesium. Cross sections were determined by measuring the photoionization rate of cesium atoms confined in a magneto-optical trap. The photoionization rate was measured by monitoring the decay of trap fluorescence during exposure to ionizing laser radiation. The measurements were made in the wavelength range 457.9 to 501.7 nm using several lines from an Ar-ion laser. Our results are compared to other experimental measurements as well as to existing theories.

Physical Review A•Mar 1, 1999•34 citations

Use of trapped atoms to measure absolute photoionization cross sections

Timothy P. Dinneen, Christopher D. Wallace, Kit-Yan N. Tan +1 more

We describe a new technique for accurate measurement of absolute photoionization cross sections. By measuring the loss rateof atoms from a laser trap in the presence of ionizing light, we directly measure the photoionization rate. The only quantities requiring absolute calibration are the ionizing laser intensity and the fractional population in the relevant state. Our technique is capable of detecting extremely small ionization rates, which means that low-power cw sources can be used. We have applied this method to photoionization from the 5P(3/2) state of rubidium at wavelengths of 413 and 407 nm.The cross sections are 1.36(12) x 10(-17) and 1.25(11) x 10(-17) cm(2) , respectively.

Optics Letters•Dec 1, 1992•78 citations

Photoionisation of laser-cooled cesium 6 [sup 2]P[sub 3/2] atoms

F. Fuso, Onofrio M. Maragò, D. Ciampini +3 more

We have investigated photoionisation of laser-cooled cesium atoms excited to the 6 2P3/2 state by irradiating a cesium magneto-optical trap with a beam from either an Ar+ laser or a frequency doubled diode laser. From the analysis of time resolved and steady state fluorescence, we have derived the ionization cross section on the basis of a simple model of the trapping dynamics in the presence of an ionising beam.

AIP conference proceedings•Jan 1, 1998•1 citation

Photoionization for Na and Li cold atoms in a MOT

Volker Wippel, C. Binder, W. Huber +4 more

Summary form only given. Photoionization of cold atoms in their first excited state has been applied to measure the photoionization cross section in rubidium magneto-optical trap (MOT), and cesium MOT. The modifications of the MOT loading rate and of the steady state number of trapped atoms allow one to measure the dependence of the cold atom photoionization cross section on the laser wavelength for absorption from the excited atomic state. We report here on measurements of photoionization cross-sections of both laser-cooled sodium and lithium atoms at various photoionization wavelengths.

Conference on Lasers and Electro-Optics•Aug 29, 2005•0 citations

Electron-impact ionization cross sections out of the ground and 6P2 excited states of cesium

Michał Łukomski, Sean Sutton, W. Kedzierski +6 more

An atom trapping technique for determining absolute, total ionization cross sections (TICS) out of an excited atom is presented. The unique feature of our method is in utilizing Doppler cooling of neutral atoms to determine ionization cross sections. This fluorescence-monitoring experiment, which is a variant of the ``trap loss'' technique, has enabled us to obtain the experimental electron impact ionization cross sections out of the Cs $6\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}^{2}{P}_{3∕2}$ state between $7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ and $400\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$. CCC, RMPS, and Born theoretical results are also presented for both the ground and excited states of cesium and rubidium. In the low energy region $(<11\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV})$ where best agreement between these excited state measurements and theory might be expected, a discrepancy of approximately a factor of five is observed. Above this energy there are significant contributions to the TICS from both autoionization and multiple ionization.

Physical Review A•Sep 21, 2006•27 citations

Measurement of the Absolute Photoionization Cross Section for the 5 P 3/2 State of 87 Rb in a Vapor Cell Magneto-optic Trap

Wei Huang, Ya-Ping Ruan, Feng-Dong Jia +6 more

We report the measurement of the absolute photoionization cross section for the 5P 3/2 state of 87 Rb at wavelength of 473 nm, which results in the photoelectron energies of 33 meV above the ionization threshold, using cold atoms confined in a vapor-loaded magneto-optical trap. The 87 Rb 5P 3/2 photoionization cross section at 473 nm is determined to be σ PI = 10.5 ± 2.2 Mb. Considering the spatial distribution of the trapped atoms, the average intensity of the ionization laser seen by an atom in the MOT instead of ionizing laser intensity I PI is used in our calculations for the photoionization cross sections. The excited state fraction is also accurately estimated using the latest experimental result.

Chinese Physics Letters•Jan 1, 2012•8 citations
Losses from a cesium magneto-optical trap induced by an additional laser ionizing the atoms in the 6P3/2{6P}_{3/2}6P3/2​ state have been measured as a function of the intensity and frequency of the ionizing laser. The absolute cross section for ionization of the 6P3/2{6P}_{3/2}6P3/2​ state has been derived as a function of the wavelength of the ionizing laser. Our values are compared with previous ones and available theoretical predictions. A simple model describing the photoionization processes has been developed.
We report the measurement of the absolute photoionization cross section for the 6P3/2{6P}_{3/2}6P3/2​ state of cesium. Cross sections were determined by measuring the photoionization rate of cesium atoms confined in a magneto-optical trap. The photoionization rate was measured by monitoring the decay of trap fluorescence during exposure to ionizing laser radiation. The measurements were made in the wavelength range 457.9 to 501.7 nm using several lines from an Ar-ion laser. Our results are compared to other experimental measurements as well as to existing theories.
We describe a new technique for accurate measurement of absolute photoionization cross sections. By measuring the loss rateof atoms from a laser trap in the presence of ionizing light, we directly measure the photoionization rate. The only quantities requiring absolute calibration are the ionizing laser intensity and the fractional population in the relevant state. Our technique is capable of detecting extremely small ionization rates, which means that low-power cw sources can be used. We have applied this method to photoionization from the 5P(3/2) state of rubidium at wavelengths of 413 and 407 nm.The cross sections are 1.36(12) x 10(-17) and 1.25(11) x 10(-17) cm(2) , respectively.
Summary form only given. Photoionization of cold atoms in their first excited state has been applied to measure the photoionization cross section in rubidium magneto-optical trap (MOT), and cesium MOT. The modifications of the MOT loading rate and of the steady state number of trapped atoms allow one to measure the dependence of the cold atom photoionization cross section on the laser wavelength for absorption from the excited atomic state. We report here on measurements of photoionization cross-sections of both laser-cooled sodium and lithium atoms at various photoionization wavelengths.
An atom trapping technique for determining absolute, total ionization cross sections (TICS) out of an excited atom is presented. The unique feature of our method is in utilizing Doppler cooling of neutral atoms to determine ionization cross sections. This fluorescence-monitoring experiment, which is a variant of the ``trap loss'' technique, has enabled us to obtain the experimental electron impact ionization cross sections out of the Cs 62P3∕26\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}^{2}{P}_{3∕2}62P3∕2​ state between 7eV7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}7eV and 400eV400\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}400eV. CCC, RMPS, and Born theoretical results are also presented for both the ground and excited states of cesium and rubidium. In the low energy region (<11eV)(<11\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV})(<11eV) where best agreement between these excited state measurements and theory might be expected, a discrepancy of approximately a factor of five is observed. Above this energy there are significant contributions to the TICS from both autoionization and multiple ionization.
We report the measurement of the absolute photoionization cross section for the 5P 3/2 state of 87 Rb at wavelength of 473 nm, which results in the photoelectron energies of 33 meV above the ionization threshold, using cold atoms confined in a vapor-loaded magneto-optical trap. The 87 Rb 5P 3/2 photoionization cross section at 473 nm is determined to be σ PI = 10.5 ± 2.2 Mb. Considering the spatial distribution of the trapped atoms, the average intensity of the ionization laser seen by an atom in the MOT instead of ionizing laser intensity I PI is used in our calculations for the photoionization cross sections. The excited state fraction is also accurately estimated using the latest experimental result.