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Physical Review A

Electron-atom interactions in a resonant optical enhancement cavity

Martyn Hussey, Sarah Jhumka, Andrew James Murray

Published Oct 12, 2012• 3 citations
Publisher

Abstract

An experiment is described that studies electron collisions with laser-excited atoms inside a resonant optical enhancement cavity. A confocal cavity is used to significantly increase the laser power at the interaction region, so that experiments become possible with low-power continuous-wave lasers, particularly at blue and UV wavelengths. The increased power inside the cavity allows previously inaccessible targets and states to be investigated. The method is tested using superelastic scattering experiments from laser-excited calcium at 423 nm for an electron energy of 45 eV, and data are presented at 100 eV using the enhancement cavity.

DOI
10.1103/physreva.86.042705

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An experiment is described that studies electron collisions with laser-excited atoms inside a resonant optical enhancement cavity. A confocal cavity is used to significantly increase the laser power at the interaction region, so that experiments become possible with low-power continuous-wave lasers, particularly at blue and UV wavelengths. The increased power inside the cavity allows previously inaccessible targets and states to be investigated. The method is tested using superelastic scattering experiments from laser-excited calcium at 423 nm for an electron energy of 45 eV, and data are presented at 100 eV using the enhancement cavity.
Recent data from two methods in which high resolution laser radiation is used to assist in determining electron-atom collision parameters are presented. The electron superelastic method has yielded the first measurement of Stokes parameters for electron de-excitation of the 32D5/2–32P3/2,1/2 transition of atomic Na, the upper level having been optically prepared by resonant, stepwise excitation from the 32S1/2 ground level via the 32P3/2 level using two single mode lasers. As well, we report on the development of a model to determine the optical pumping parameters for superelastic scattering from the 32P3/2 level when it is prepared by two lasers exciting from the F = 1 and F = 2 states respectively of the 32S1/ 2 ground level. Data are also presented for collision parameters for the excitation of the 61So–61 PI transition of the I = 0 isotope of Hg by electrons of 50 eV incident energy. The technique employed for these measurements is the stepwise electron–laser excitation coincidence method, in which the electron excited atom is further excited by resonant laser radiation, and fluorescence photons emitted by relaxation from the laser excited state are detected in coincidence with the scattered electron.
A review of current work at Manchester is given, with emphasis on low energy electron impact ionization & excitation experiments from laser-prepared targets. Three different methods are considered: super-elastic scattering from targets prepared by laser radiation in an optical enhancement cavity, (e,2e) studies of laser-aligned atoms, and electron impact ionization studies from laser cooled atoms in a new type of atom trap - the AC-MOT. The status of each experimental programme is detailed, and new data presented. Future directions and techniques are then discussed.
A review of current work at Manchester is given, with emphasis on low energy electron impact ionization & excitation experiments from laser-prepared targets. Three different methods are considered: super-elastic scattering from targets prepared by laser radiation in an optical enhancement cavity, (e,2e) studies of laser-aligned atoms, and electron impact ionization studies from laser cooled atoms in a new type of atom trap - the AC-MOT. The status of each experimental programme is detailed, and new data presented. Future directions and techniques are then discussed.
In an experiment that introduces a completely new approach to inelastic collisions, the transfer of excitation from one atom to another has been enormously enhanced by resonant optical irradiation. Incident laser light was tuned to a wavelength corresponding to the energy difference between the final and initial states of the colliding atoms. The experiments, in which the 5p strontium atoms transferred their excitation energy to 6s calcium atoms, was performed at Stanford University by Stephen Harris, Roger Falcone, William Green, Derek Lidow, Jonathan White and James Young.
Superelastic electron scattering measurements are presented from rubidium atoms excited by laser radiation to the 52P states at around 780 nm. The incident energy of the electrons was 18.4 eV corresponding to 20 eV incident electrons for the excitation process 52S-52P. The measurements were conducted over a range of scattering angles from 5࠴hrough to 125஠A complete set of atomic collision parameters for the interaction process is presented together with the associated pseudo-Stokes parameters obtained from the measurements. A comparison with three sophisticated theoretical models indicates that none of the models completely describes the interaction process at this energy, and that further experimental and theoretical work is needed.