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

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics

Population of the potassium fine structure states 42P1/2and 42P3/2in collisions with mercury and several molecules

Volker Kempter, W Koch, C Schmidt

Published Aug 1, 1974• 12 citations
Publisher

Abstract

The population of the potassium fine structure states 4 2 P 1/2 and 4 2 P 3/2 has been determined from the emission intensity of the fine structure components K(4 2 P 1/2 to 4 2 S 1/2 ) and K(4 2 P 3/2 to 4 2 S 1/2 ) after excitation in collisions with Hg, N 2 , O 2 , CO 2 and NO 2 . The energy dependence of the population ratio is investigated for the above species in the energy range between 2 and 50 eV.

DOI
10.1088/0022-3700/7/11/018

Related papers

Sensitized fluorescence in vapors of alkali metals. XII. 42P1/2–42P3/2 mixing in potassium, induced in collisions with ground-state rubidium atoms

E. S. Hrycyshyn, L. Krause

The total cross sections for collisions between excited potassium and unexcited rubidium atoms, leading to the transfer of excitation between the 42P states in potassium, have been determined in a sensitized fluorescence experiment. The experiments were carried out at partial pressures of potassium vapor lower than 10−5 mm Hg, at which the imprisonment of resonance radiation may be disregarded. The cross sections Q12″ (42P1/2 → 42P3/2) and Q21″ (42P1/2 ← 42P3/2) equal 260 Å2 and 175 Å2, respectively, and are in the ratio predicted by the principle of detailed balancing.

Canadian Journal of Physics•Jan 15, 1969•9 citations

Fine-structure mixing of Hg 6s6d states by collisions with ground-state Hg and Ar atoms, and N2molecules

R. J. Niefer, Murray R. Darrach, J. B. Atkinson +1 more

Excitation transfer between 6s6d Hg fine-structure states, induced by collisions with Hg, Ar and N 2 , was studied using methods of fluorescence spectroscopy in a vapour cell. Hg vapour, pure or mixed with Ar or N 2 , was excited to the 6 1 D 2 or 6 3 D 2 state by two-photon absorption and the relative intensities of the fluorescence components emitted from the radiatively and collisionally populated states were determined using a monochromator and a photomultiplier. Measurements of the fluorescent intensity ratios in relation to the density of the collision partner yielded the total thermally averaged cross sections for the transfers 1 D 2 to 3 D 2 , 1 D 2 to 3 D 3 3 D 2 to 3 D 3 , and 3 D 2 to 1 D 2 , with Hg, Ar and N 2 as collision partners.

Journal of Physics B Atomic and Molecular Physics•Feb 14, 1987•6 citations

SENSITIZED FLUORESCENCE IN VAPORS OF ALKALI METALS: I. ENERGY TRANSFER IN POTASSIUM–POTASSIUM COLLISIONS

G. D. Chapman, L. Krause, I. H. Brockman

Sensitized fluorescence in potassium vapor at pressures between 10−5 mm Hg and 10−1 mm Hg was investigated to determine the cross sections for collisions of the second kind between unexcited and excited potassium atoms. An idealized fluorescence tube was used in the experiment and the fluorescent light was analyzed with a photoelectric recording spectrometer. The collision cross sections at low vapor pressures, where imprisonment of radiation is absent, are identical for both the 42P1/2 → 42P3/2 and 42P1/2 ← 42P3/2 transitions and equal 6.6 × 10−12 cm2 at 2 × 10−4 mm Hg. The experimental results are interpreted on the basis of new selection rules for sensitized fluorescence.

Canadian Journal of Physics•Mar 1, 1964•12 citations

Coherence Transfer between the 2P1/2 and 2P3/2 States in Potassium, Induced in Collisions with Noble Gas Atoms and with Molecules

B. Niewitecka, L. Krause

The transfer of coherence accompanying 42P1/2 → 42P3/2 transfer of excitation induced in collisions between 42P1/2 potassium atoms and noble gas atoms as well as some simple molecules, was studied in a series of sensitized fluorescence experiments. Mixtures of potassium vapor at 6 × 10−7 Torr with the various buffer gases were irradiated with circularly polarized D1(σ+) light and the relative intensities of the σ+ and σ− fractions of both the D1 and D2 fluorescent components were determined in relation to the pressures of the buffer gases. The experiments yielded the following cross sections for coherence transfer: K–He:1.7 Å2; K–Ne :0.8 Å2; K–Ar < 0.5 Å2; K–H2 :3.5 Å2; K–CH4 :7.0 Å2; K–CD4:7.7 Å2.

Canadian Journal of Physics•Feb 15, 1973•6 citations

Rubidium 52P fine-structure transitions induced by collisions with potassium and caesium atoms

Cedomil Vadla, S. Knezović, Mladen Movre

A diode-laser fluorescence experiment was performed in order to study fine-structure transitions between 5 2 P states of rubidium atoms colliding with ground-state potassium or caesium atoms. The Rb (5 2 P 3 2/) state was optically excited and the intensity ratio of sensitized to direct fluorescence was measured. The obtained cross sections for the excitation energy transfer Rb( 2 P 3 2/) to Rb( 2 P 1 2/) induced by collisions with K and Cs (T=573 K) are sigma =54 AA 2 +or-30% and sigma =15 AA 2 +or-30%, respectively. Assuming detailed balancing, the cross sections for the reverse process Rb( 2 P 1 2/) to Rb( 2 P 3 2/) are sigma =60 AA 2 +or-30%, and sigma =16.5 AA 2 +or-30% for K and Cs, respectively.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Mar 28, 1992•9 citations

The Sensitized Fluorescence of Potassium

Ernst H. Krause

A mixture of potassium vapor and mercury vapor contained in a tube fashioned after the Cario-Lochte-Holtgreven sodium vapor lamp was radiated by light from a water-cooled mercury arc. The resulting fluorescence radiation contained potassium lines as well as two of the three known ${\mathrm{K}}_{2}$ absorption bands and a new band with maximum at 5721A. On exposure of the mixture to light from a hot mercury arc or to light having all wave-lengths shorter than 2800A filtered out, the fluorescence was eliminated. This indicated that the excitation was caused by absorption of 2536A by the mercury. Absorption of the 2536A mercury line raises the mercury atom to the $6^{3}P_{1}$ state, having an energy of 4.86 volts. The ionization potential of potassium is 4.32 volts; thus in a collision of the second kind, the excited mercury atom has enough energy to ionize the potassium atom. There was no evidence of a potassium emission from an energy state in the continuum equal in energy to the Hg $6^{3}P_{1}$ or $6^{3}P_{0}$ states. There were, however, two strong lines in fluorescence which could not be ascribed to the usual K energy levels nor to any probable impurity. To test whether or not ionization of potassium actually takes place, a filament was introduced into the tube to supply electrons. A large increase in intensity of the fluorescence of potassium lines was obtained with the hot filament. It was furthermore found that the intensity increased with filament temperature.

Physical Review•Jan 15, 1939•1 citation
The population of the potassium fine structure states 4 2 P 1/2 and 4 2 P 3/2 has been determined from the emission intensity of the fine structure components K(4 2 P 1/2 to 4 2 S 1/2 ) and K(4 2 P 3/2 to 4 2 S 1/2 ) after excitation in collisions with Hg, N 2 , O 2 , CO 2 and NO 2 . The energy dependence of the population ratio is investigated for the above species in the energy range between 2 and 50 eV.
The total cross sections for collisions between excited potassium and unexcited rubidium atoms, leading to the transfer of excitation between the 42P states in potassium, have been determined in a sensitized fluorescence experiment. The experiments were carried out at partial pressures of potassium vapor lower than 10−5 mm Hg, at which the imprisonment of resonance radiation may be disregarded. The cross sections Q12″ (42P1/2 → 42P3/2) and Q21″ (42P1/2 ← 42P3/2) equal 260 Å2 and 175 Å2, respectively, and are in the ratio predicted by the principle of detailed balancing.
Excitation transfer between 6s6d Hg fine-structure states, induced by collisions with Hg, Ar and N 2 , was studied using methods of fluorescence spectroscopy in a vapour cell. Hg vapour, pure or mixed with Ar or N 2 , was excited to the 6 1 D 2 or 6 3 D 2 state by two-photon absorption and the relative intensities of the fluorescence components emitted from the radiatively and collisionally populated states were determined using a monochromator and a photomultiplier. Measurements of the fluorescent intensity ratios in relation to the density of the collision partner yielded the total thermally averaged cross sections for the transfers 1 D 2 to 3 D 2 , 1 D 2 to 3 D 3 3 D 2 to 3 D 3 , and 3 D 2 to 1 D 2 , with Hg, Ar and N 2 as collision partners.
Sensitized fluorescence in potassium vapor at pressures between 10−5 mm Hg and 10−1 mm Hg was investigated to determine the cross sections for collisions of the second kind between unexcited and excited potassium atoms. An idealized fluorescence tube was used in the experiment and the fluorescent light was analyzed with a photoelectric recording spectrometer. The collision cross sections at low vapor pressures, where imprisonment of radiation is absent, are identical for both the 42P1/2 → 42P3/2 and 42P1/2 ← 42P3/2 transitions and equal 6.6 × 10−12 cm2 at 2 × 10−4 mm Hg. The experimental results are interpreted on the basis of new selection rules for sensitized fluorescence.
The transfer of coherence accompanying 42P1/2 → 42P3/2 transfer of excitation induced in collisions between 42P1/2 potassium atoms and noble gas atoms as well as some simple molecules, was studied in a series of sensitized fluorescence experiments. Mixtures of potassium vapor at 6 × 10−7 Torr with the various buffer gases were irradiated with circularly polarized D1(σ+) light and the relative intensities of the σ+ and σ− fractions of both the D1 and D2 fluorescent components were determined in relation to the pressures of the buffer gases. The experiments yielded the following cross sections for coherence transfer: K–He:1.7 Å2; K–Ne :0.8 Å2; K–Ar < 0.5 Å2; K–H2 :3.5 Å2; K–CH4 :7.0 Å2; K–CD4:7.7 Å2.
A diode-laser fluorescence experiment was performed in order to study fine-structure transitions between 5 2 P states of rubidium atoms colliding with ground-state potassium or caesium atoms. The Rb (5 2 P 3 2/) state was optically excited and the intensity ratio of sensitized to direct fluorescence was measured. The obtained cross sections for the excitation energy transfer Rb( 2 P 3 2/) to Rb( 2 P 1 2/) induced by collisions with K and Cs (T=573 K) are sigma =54 AA 2 +or-30% and sigma =15 AA 2 +or-30%, respectively. Assuming detailed balancing, the cross sections for the reverse process Rb( 2 P 1 2/) to Rb( 2 P 3 2/) are sigma =60 AA 2 +or-30%, and sigma =16.5 AA 2 +or-30% for K and Cs, respectively.
A mixture of potassium vapor and mercury vapor contained in a tube fashioned after the Cario-Lochte-Holtgreven sodium vapor lamp was radiated by light from a water-cooled mercury arc. The resulting fluorescence radiation contained potassium lines as well as two of the three known K2{\mathrm{K}}_{2}K2​ absorption bands and a new band with maximum at 5721A. On exposure of the mixture to light from a hot mercury arc or to light having all wave-lengths shorter than 2800A filtered out, the fluorescence was eliminated. This indicated that the excitation was caused by absorption of 2536A by the mercury. Absorption of the 2536A mercury line raises the mercury atom to the 63P16^{3}P_{1}63P1​ state, having an energy of 4.86 volts. The ionization potential of potassium is 4.32 volts; thus in a collision of the second kind, the excited mercury atom has enough energy to ionize the potassium atom. There was no evidence of a potassium emission from an energy state in the continuum equal in energy to the Hg 63P16^{3}P_{1}63P1​ or 63P06^{3}P_{0}63P0​ states. There were, however, two strong lines in fluorescence which could not be ascribed to the usual K energy levels nor to any probable impurity. To test whether or not ionization of potassium actually takes place, a filament was introduced into the tube to supply electrons. A large increase in intensity of the fluorescence of potassium lines was obtained with the hot filament. It was furthermore found that the intensity increased with filament temperature.