Transient behavior of optically excited vapor atoms near a solid interface as observed in evanescent wave emission
A.L.J. Burgmans, Martin F. H. Schuurmans, Bouwe Bolger
Using a cw dye laser beam normally incident on a glass-Na-vapor interface, fluorescence excitation spectra of the ${D}_{1}$ line are measured. By observing the fluorescence transmitted into the glass above the angle of total reflection, only evanescent light emitted within about a wavelength distance from the interface is observed. The measured spectra show a cutoff on the high-frequency side which is direct evidence for the transient behavior of the induced polarization of resonantly excited vapor atoms which have collided at the solid interface.
Physical Review A•Nov 1, 1977•25 citations