Atomic Spectra and Radiative Transitions

Igor I Sobel'man

Boris Michailovich Smirnov

Andrei Letunov, Valerii S. Lisitsa

The problem of Rydberg atomic spectra in crossed electric F and magnetic B fields (combined Stark–Zeeman effects), as well as an oscillating electric field are under consideration. The main problem is the great array of radiative transitions between the Rydberg atomic states. The different versions of semiclassical approaches are applied for the solution of the problem. New approximate selection rules are established to simplify the matrix elements of radiative transitions, making it possible to reduce the complex expressions of Gordon’s hypergeometric series to the trivial trigonometric functions. Simple analytical formulas for the dipole matrix elements of a Rydberg hydrogen-like atom in external crossed electric and magnetic fields for Hnα are obtained. The specific calculations are presented for n = 10 to 9 transition both for parallel and perpendicular orientations of F–B fields. The result of Blokhintsev for a single Stark component in oscillating field is generalized for the array of radiative transitions between Rydberg atomic states. Such spectra with large values of modulation index are compared with static ones.

Zoltan Fried, Lloyd C. Kannenberg

Vasily M. Entin, I. I. Ryabtsev

The effect of microwave radiation on the resonance fluorescence of a cloud of cold 85 Rb atoms in a magnetooptical trap is studied. The radiation frequency was tuned near the hyperfine splitting frequency of rubidium atoms in the 5S ground state. The microwave field induced magnetic dipole transitions between the magnetic sublevels of the 5S ( F =2) and 5S ( F =3) states, resulting in a change in the fluorescence signal. The resonance fluorescence spectra were recorded by tuning the microwave radiation frequency. The observed spectra were found to be substantially dependent on the transition under study and the frequency of a repump laser used in the cooling scheme.

James H Scofield