Physical Review A

Ion formation in sodium vapor containing Rydberg atoms

C. Burkhardt, W. P. Garver, Vikram S. Kushawaha, J. Leventhal

Published Jul 1, 1984• 16 citations

Abstract

The formation of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$ in sodium vapor (\ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{11}$-${10}^{13}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$) containing laser-selected Rydberg atoms $(15<~n<~35)$ has been studied. At low atom densities photoionization, collisional ionization, and associative ionization dominate, but more-complicated mechanisms contribute to the ion yield at higher densities.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.30.652

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Ionization of Rydberg atoms

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Collisional and thermal ionization of sodium Rydberg atoms in single and crossed atomic beams

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Physical Review A

Ion formation in sodium vapor containing Rydberg atoms

C. Burkhardt, W. P. Garver, Vikram S. Kushawaha, J. Leventhal

Published Jul 1, 1984• 16 citations

Publisher

Abstract

The formation of

{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}

and

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}

in sodium vapor (\ensuremath{\sim}

{10}^{11}

{10}^{13}

{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}

) containing laser-selected Rydberg atoms

(15<~n<~35)

has been studied. At low atom densities photoionization, collisional ionization, and associative ionization dominate, but more-complicated mechanisms contribute to the ion yield at higher densities.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.30.652

Related papers

Ionization of Rydberg atoms

Charles E. Burkhardt, Ron Corey, W. P. Garver +3 more

Ion formation in sodium vapor (\ensuremath{\sim} ${10}^{11}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$) containing Rydberg atoms (18\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}35) was investigated. Both atomic ions and diatomic molecular ions resulting from collisions between highly excited sodium, ${\mathrm{Na}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}$ , and Na(3s) were observed. However, the predominant production mechanism was found to be photoionization of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}$ by blackbody radiation, the rate of which was measured at 500 K and found to be \ensuremath{\simeq}5.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{3}$ ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for n=18, in good agreement with theory. The ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ signal from blackbody photoionization is observed to be independent of n, which we interpret as implying rapid and nearly complete self-l-mixing, mixing by collisions with Na(3s) atoms, for both s and d states. It is probable, however, that the s states are mixed to the adjacent, n-1, manifold of l states. It was also found that the heavy-body collision cross sections for ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ ${\mathrm{}}^{+}$ formation, while roughly three orders of magnitude lower than our estimate of the self-l-mixing cross section, are appreciable, of order 100 A ${\r{}}^{2}$ .Ion formation in sodium vapor (\ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{11}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$) containing Rydberg atoms (18\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}35) was investigated. Both atomic ions and diatomic molecular ions resulting from collisions between highly excited sodium, ${\mathrm{Na}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}$, and Na(3s) were observed. However, the predominant production mechanism was found to be photoionization of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}$ by blackbody radiation, the rate of which was measured at 500 K and found to be \ensuremath{\simeq}5.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{3}$ ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for n=18, in good agreement with theory. The ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ signal from blackbody photoionization is observed to be independent of n, which we interpret as implying rapid and nearly complete self-l-mixing, mixing by collisions with Na(3s) atoms, for both s and d states. It is probable, however, that the s states are mixed to the adjacent, n-1, manifold of l states. It was also found that the heavy-body collision cross sections for ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$${\mathrm{}}^{+}$ formation, while roughly three orders of magnitude lower than our estimate of the self-l-mixing cross section, are appreciable, of order 100 A${\r{}}^{2}$.

Physical Review AJul 1, 198628 citations

Ion Formation in Sodium Vapor Containing Laser Selected Rydberg Atoms

M. Allegrini, Silvia Gozzini, L. Moi +5 more

Springer series in optical sciences/SPringer series in optical sciencesJan 1, 19850 citations

Collisional and thermal ionization of sodium Rydberg atoms: I. Experiment fornS andnD atoms withn= 8–20

I. I. Ryabtsev, Denis B. Tretyakov, Ilya I. Beterov +3 more

Collisional and thermal ionization of sodium n S and n D Rydberg atoms with n = 8–20 has been studied. The experiments were performed using a two-step pulsed laser excitation in an effusive atomic beam at atom density of about 2 × 10 10 cm −3 . Molecular and atomic ions from associative, Penning and thermal ionization processes were detected. It was found that the atomic ions were created mainly due to photoionization of Rydberg atoms by photons of blackbody radiation at the ambient temperature of 300 K. Blackbody ionization rates and effective lifetimes of Rydberg states of interest were determined. The molecular ions were found to be from associative ionization in Na( nL ) + Na(3S) collisions. Rate constants of associative ionization have been measured using an original method based on relative measurements of Na + 2 and Na + ion signals.Collisional and thermal ionization of sodium n S and n D Rydberg atoms with n = 8–20 has been studied. The experiments were performed using a two-step pulsed laser excitation in an effusive atomic beam at atom density of about 2 × 10 10 cm −3 . Molecular and atomic ions from associative, Penning and thermal ionization processes were detected. It was found that the atomic ions were created mainly due to photoionization of Rydberg atoms by photons of blackbody radiation at the ambient temperature of 300 K. Blackbody ionization rates and effective lifetimes of Rydberg states of interest were determined. The molecular ions were found to be from associative ionization in Na( nL ) + Na(3S) collisions. Rate constants of associative ionization have been measured using an original method based on relative measurements of Na + 2 and Na + ion signals.

arXiv:physics/0501088Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical PhysicsJan 6, 200523 citations

Ionization and Energy Pooling in Laser-Excited Na Vapor

Gregory H. Bearman, Jacob J. Leventhal

We have observed ion formation (both ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$ ) and radiation from high-lying Na states when low-density vapor (\ensuremath{\sim} ${10}^{13}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$) is irradiated with a cw dye laser tuned to one of the $D$ lines. The ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ ions probably result from photodissociation of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$ formed by $\mathrm{Na}(3p)\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Na}(3p)$ associative ionization, while the high-lying radiating states are formed in energy-pooling reactions.We have observed ion formation (both ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$) and radiation from high-lying Na states when low-density vapor (\ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{13}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$) is irradiated with a cw dye laser tuned to one of the $D$ lines. The ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ ions probably result from photodissociation of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$ formed by $\mathrm{Na}(3p)\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Na}(3p)$ associative ionization, while the high-lying radiating states are formed in energy-pooling reactions.

Physical Review LettersOct 30, 197863 citations

Collisional and thermal ionization of sodium Rydberg atoms in single and crossed atomic beams

I. I. Ryabtsev, Ilya I. Beterov, Denis B. Tretyakov +4 more

Proceedings of SPIE, the International Society for Optical Engineering/Proceedings of SPIEMar 1, 20060 citations

Off-resonance production of ions in laser-excited sodium vapor

Charles E. Burkhardt, W. P. Garver, Jacob J. Leventhal

The production of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ ${\mathrm{}}^{+}$ in sodium vapor irradiated by pulsed laser light in the D-line region of the spectrum has been studied by varying the laser power density and the wavelength. The data, which were acquired with an order-of-magnitude higher resolution than those in our previous experiments, support our earlier conclusion that ions formed at laser wavelengths close to, but not coincident with, the D lines result from three-photon resonance-enhanced ionization of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ molecules present in the vapor.The production of ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ and ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$${\mathrm{}}^{+}$ in sodium vapor irradiated by pulsed laser light in the D-line region of the spectrum has been studied by varying the laser power density and the wavelength. The data, which were acquired with an order-of-magnitude higher resolution than those in our previous experiments, support our earlier conclusion that ions formed at laser wavelengths close to, but not coincident with, the D lines result from three-photon resonance-enhanced ionization of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ molecules present in the vapor.

Physical Review AJan 1, 198513 citations

The formation of

{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}

and

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}

in sodium vapor (\ensuremath{\sim}

{10}^{11}

{10}^{13}

{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}

) containing laser-selected Rydberg atoms

(15<~n<~35)

has been studied. At low atom densities photoionization, collisional ionization, and associative ionization dominate, but more-complicated mechanisms contribute to the ion yield at higher densities.

Ion formation in sodium vapor (\ensuremath{\sim}

{10}^{11}

${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$) containing Rydberg atoms (18\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}35) was investigated. Both atomic ions and diatomic molecular ions resulting from collisions between highly excited sodium,

{\mathrm{Na}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}

, and Na(3s) were observed. However, the predominant production mechanism was found to be photoionization of

{\mathrm{Na}}^{\mathrm{*}\mathrm{*}}

by blackbody radiation, the rate of which was measured at 500 K and found to be \ensuremath{\simeq}5.7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}

{10}^{3}

${\mathrm{sec}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ for n=18, in good agreement with theory. The

{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}

signal from blackbody photoionization is observed to be independent of n, which we interpret as implying rapid and nearly complete self-l-mixing, mixing by collisions with Na(3s) atoms, for both s and d states. It is probable, however, that the s states are mixed to the adjacent, n-1, manifold of l states. It was also found that the heavy-body collision cross sections for

{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}

and

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}

{\mathrm{}}^{+}

formation, while roughly three orders of magnitude lower than our estimate of the self-l-mixing cross section, are appreciable, of order 100 A

{\r{}}^{2}

We have observed ion formation (both

{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}

and

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}

) and radiation from high-lying Na states when low-density vapor (\ensuremath{\sim}

{10}^{13}

${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$) is irradiated with a cw dye laser tuned to one of the

D

lines. The

{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}

ions probably result from photodissociation of

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}

formed by $\mathrm{Na}(3p)\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{Na}(3p)$ associative ionization, while the high-lying radiating states are formed in energy-pooling reactions.

The production of

{\mathrm{Na}}^{+}

and

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}

{\mathrm{}}^{+}

in sodium vapor irradiated by pulsed laser light in the D-line region of the spectrum has been studied by varying the laser power density and the wavelength. The data, which were acquired with an order-of-magnitude higher resolution than those in our previous experiments, support our earlier conclusion that ions formed at laser wavelengths close to, but not coincident with, the D lines result from three-photon resonance-enhanced ionization of

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}

molecules present in the vapor.