Physical Review A

Precision measurement of the lifetime of the 7S13 state of atomic mercury

R. A. Holt, F. M. Pipkin

Published Feb 1, 1974• 31 citations

Abstract

We report the first observation of the atomic cascade $9^{1}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}7^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}6^{3}P_{1}$ in mercury. The exponential distribution of time delays between detection of the $9^{1}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}7^{3}S_{1}$ (5676-\AA{}) photon and the $7^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}6^{3}P_{1}$ (4358-\AA{}) photon was measured, and a value of 8.2(0.2) nsec was obtained for the mean lifetime of the $7^{3}S_{1}$ level.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.9.581

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Correlation of Photons in Cascade and the Coherence Time of the 6P13 State of Mercury

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Lifetime and oscillator-strength studies involving the (6s6p )3 P1 -(6s7s )1 S0 transition of atomic Yb

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Physical Review A

Precision measurement of the lifetime of the 7S13 state of atomic mercury

R. A. Holt, F. M. Pipkin

Published Feb 1, 1974• 31 citations

Publisher

Abstract

We report the first observation of the atomic cascade

9^{1}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}7^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}6^{3}P_{1}

in mercury. The exponential distribution of time delays between detection of the

9^{1}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}7^{3}S_{1}

(5676-\AA{}) photon and the

7^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}6^{3}P_{1}

(4358-\AA{}) photon was measured, and a value of 8.2(0.2) nsec was obtained for the mean lifetime of the

7^{3}S_{1}

level.

DOI: 10.1103/physreva.9.581

Related papers

Correlation of Photons in Cascade and the Coherence Time of the 6P13 State of Mercury

Gilbert H. Nussbaum, F. M. Pipkin

We have observed directly the time correlation between successively emitted photons in the $7^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}6^{3}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}6^{1}S_{0}$ cascade of atomic mercury, and have deduced from it direct measurements of both the natural lifetime of the $6^{3}P_{1}$ state and the dependence of the mean correlation time (coherence time) on the density of the mercury vapor surrounding the primary radiation region. The density-dependent coherence time constitutes a direct observation of the imprisonment of resonance radiation and provides an experimental confirmation of the theory describing this phenomenon.We have observed directly the time correlation between successively emitted photons in the $7^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}6^{3}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}6^{1}S_{0}$ cascade of atomic mercury, and have deduced from it direct measurements of both the natural lifetime of the $6^{3}P_{1}$ state and the dependence of the mean correlation time (coherence time) on the density of the mercury vapor surrounding the primary radiation region. The density-dependent coherence time constitutes a direct observation of the imprisonment of resonance radiation and provides an experimental confirmation of the theory describing this phenomenon.

Physical Review LettersNov 6, 196740 citations

Measured Lifetime of the ( 3p54s ) P13 State of Argon

John L. Morack, Clifford E. Fairchild

A direct measurement of the natural lifetime for the ( $3{p}^{5}4s$ ) $^{3}P_{1}$ state of argon has been made using a modified delayed-coincidence method. Argon atoms are repetitively excited by pulses of electrons. For each pulse, the decaying light signal is sampled for a time $\ensuremath{\Delta}t$ at some delay time ${t}_{1}$ after the excitation is terminated. The exponential decay is then reconstructed as the delay time is changed. Collision effects are not important in the pressure region (5.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$-2.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ Torr) of the experiment and the effects due to cascading are eliminated by keeping the energy of the bombarding electrons low enough so that excitation of the $3{p}^{5}4p$ levels is negligible. The measured lifetime is dependent upon the argon pressure, and this effect is attributed to resonance trapping; a value of 21\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 nsec is obtained for the natural lifetime by using the existing theories of resonance trapping to extrapolate the data to zero pressure.A direct measurement of the natural lifetime for the ($3{p}^{5}4s$) $^{3}P_{1}$ state of argon has been made using a modified delayed-coincidence method. Argon atoms are repetitively excited by pulses of electrons. For each pulse, the decaying light signal is sampled for a time $\ensuremath{\Delta}t$ at some delay time ${t}_{1}$ after the excitation is terminated. The exponential decay is then reconstructed as the delay time is changed. Collision effects are not important in the pressure region (5.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$-2.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ Torr) of the experiment and the effects due to cascading are eliminated by keeping the energy of the bombarding electrons low enough so that excitation of the $3{p}^{5}4p$ levels is negligible. The measured lifetime is dependent upon the argon pressure, and this effect is attributed to resonance trapping; a value of 21\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 nsec is obtained for the natural lifetime by using the existing theories of resonance trapping to extrapolate the data to zero pressure.

Physical ReviewNov 5, 196718 citations

Lifetimes of the 9s and 8p levels of atomic francium

S. Aubin, E. Gómez, Luis A. Orozco +1 more

We use time-correlated single-photon counting techniques on a sample of $^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap to measure the lifetimes of the $9{S}_{1∕2},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}8{P}_{3∕2}$ , and $8{P}_{1∕2}$ excited levels. We populate the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ level by two-photon resonant excitation through the $7{P}_{1∕2}$ level. The direct measurement of the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ decay through the $7{P}_{3∕2}$ level at 851 nm gives a lifetime of $107.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.90\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$. We observe the decay of the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ level through the $8{P}_{3∕2}$ level at 423 nm and the $8{P}_{1∕2}$ level at 433 nm down to the $7{S}_{1∕2}$ ground level, and indirectly determine the lifetimes of these to be $83.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ and $149.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$, respectively.We use time-correlated single-photon counting techniques on a sample of $^{210}\mathrm{Fr}$ atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap to measure the lifetimes of the $9{S}_{1∕2},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}8{P}_{3∕2}$, and $8{P}_{1∕2}$ excited levels. We populate the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ level by two-photon resonant excitation through the $7{P}_{1∕2}$ level. The direct measurement of the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ decay through the $7{P}_{3∕2}$ level at 851 nm gives a lifetime of $107.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.90\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$. We observe the decay of the $9{S}_{1∕2}$ level through the $8{P}_{3∕2}$ level at 423 nm and the $8{P}_{1∕2}$ level at 433 nm down to the $7{S}_{1∕2}$ ground level, and indirectly determine the lifetimes of these to be $83.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ and $149.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$, respectively.

Physical Review AOct 20, 200420 citations

The Mean Life of the 7S13 State of Mercury from Polarization Measurements on the Visible Triplet

Allan C. G. Mitchell, Edgar J. Murphy

Fluorescence of the visible triplet lines of mercury (4047, 4358, 5461) was obtained by exciting a mixture of mercury vapor and a small amount of nitrogen by radiation from a quartz mercury arc. The fluorescence was observed at right angles to the exciting light beam and the polarization of each line, isolated by suitable filters, was measured by the method of crossed Wollaston prisms. Measurements in zero magnetic field (polarized excitation) gave 88.2 percent for 4047, -65.5 for 4358, and 14.55 for 5461, compared to theoretical values (broad line excitation) of 84.7, -67.0, and 8.7 percent, respectively. Measurements were then made of the polarization as a function of a magnetic field applied in the observation direction and the mean life of the $7^{3}S_{1}$ state calculated from the data. The mean life of this state as measured by 4047 and 4358 was 0.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec. at about 3.0 mm nitrogen pressure. The mean life as measured by the line 5461 was about 0.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec. The collision cross section for the $7^{3}S_{1}$ state against nitrogen was measured by measuring the polarization of 4358 at a field of 3 gauss and varying nitrogen pressures, giving the result ${{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{q}}^{2}=1.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ .Fluorescence of the visible triplet lines of mercury (4047, 4358, 5461) was obtained by exciting a mixture of mercury vapor and a small amount of nitrogen by radiation from a quartz mercury arc. The fluorescence was observed at right angles to the exciting light beam and the polarization of each line, isolated by suitable filters, was measured by the method of crossed Wollaston prisms. Measurements in zero magnetic field (polarized excitation) gave 88.2 percent for 4047, -65.5 for 4358, and 14.55 for 5461, compared to theoretical values (broad line excitation) of 84.7, -67.0, and 8.7 percent, respectively. Measurements were then made of the polarization as a function of a magnetic field applied in the observation direction and the mean life of the $7^{3}S_{1}$ state calculated from the data. The mean life of this state as measured by 4047 and 4358 was 0.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec. at about 3.0 mm nitrogen pressure. The mean life as measured by the line 5461 was about 0.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec. The collision cross section for the $7^{3}S_{1}$ state against nitrogen was measured by measuring the polarization of 4358 at a field of 3 gauss and varying nitrogen pressures, giving the result ${{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{q}}^{2}=1.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$.

Physical ReviewJul 1, 193412 citations

Lifetime and oscillator-strength studies involving the (6s6p )3 P1 -(6s7s )1 S0 transition of atomic Yb

Yu Bai, THOMAS W. MOSSBERG

The oscillator strength of the (6s6p ${)\mathrm{}}^{3}$ ${P}_{1}$ -(6s7s ${)\mathrm{}}^{1}$ ${S}_{0}$ transition and the lifetime of the (6s7s ${)\mathrm{}}^{1}$ ${S}_{0}$ state in $^{174}\mathrm{Yb}$ have been measured to be (8.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ and 45.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0 nsec, respectively. The former value was obtained by use of coherent optical techniques (optical nutation and ac Stark splitting), while the latter was obtained by monitoring cascade fluorescence following pulsed excitation.The oscillator strength of the (6s6p${)\mathrm{}}^{3}$${P}_{1}$-(6s7s${)\mathrm{}}^{1}$${S}_{0}$ transition and the lifetime of the (6s7s${)\mathrm{}}^{1}$${S}_{0}$ state in $^{174}\mathrm{Yb}$ have been measured to be (8.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ and 45.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0 nsec, respectively. The former value was obtained by use of coherent optical techniques (optical nutation and ac Stark splitting), while the latter was obtained by monitoring cascade fluorescence following pulsed excitation.

Physical Review AJan 1, 198711 citations

Lifetime measurement of the 6s level of rubidium

E. Gómez, F. Baumer, A. D. Lange +2 more

We present a lifetime measurement of the $6s$ level of rubidium. We use a time-correlated single-photon counting technique on two different samples of rubidium atoms, a vapor cell with variable rubidium density, and a sample of atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap. The $5{P}_{1∕2}$ level serves as the resonant intermediate step for the two-step excitation to the $6s$ level. We detect the decay of the $6s$ level through the cascade fluorescence of the $5{P}_{3∕2}$ level at 780 nm. The two samples have different systematic effects, but we obtain consistent results that averaged give a lifetime of $45.57\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.17\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$.We present a lifetime measurement of the $6s$ level of rubidium. We use a time-correlated single-photon counting technique on two different samples of rubidium atoms, a vapor cell with variable rubidium density, and a sample of atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap. The $5{P}_{1∕2}$ level serves as the resonant intermediate step for the two-step excitation to the $6s$ level. We detect the decay of the $6s$ level through the cascade fluorescence of the $5{P}_{3∕2}$ level at 780 nm. The two samples have different systematic effects, but we obtain consistent results that averaged give a lifetime of $45.57\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.17\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$.

arXiv:physics/0502090Physical Review AJul 1, 200531 citations

We report the first observation of the atomic cascade

9^{1}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}7^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}6^{3}P_{1}

in mercury. The exponential distribution of time delays between detection of the

9^{1}P_{1}\ensuremath{-}7^{3}S_{1}

(5676-\AA{}) photon and the

7^{3}S_{1}\ensuremath{-}6^{3}P_{1}

(4358-\AA{}) photon was measured, and a value of 8.2(0.2) nsec was obtained for the mean lifetime of the

7^{3}S_{1}

level.

6^{3}P_{1}

state and the dependence of the mean correlation time (coherence time) on the density of the mercury vapor surrounding the primary radiation region. The density-dependent coherence time constitutes a direct observation of the imprisonment of resonance radiation and provides an experimental confirmation of the theory describing this phenomenon.

A direct measurement of the natural lifetime for the (

3{p}^{5}4s

)

^{3}P_{1}

state of argon has been made using a modified delayed-coincidence method. Argon atoms are repetitively excited by pulses of electrons. For each pulse, the decaying light signal is sampled for a time $\ensuremath{\Delta}t$ at some delay time

{t}_{1}

after the excitation is terminated. The exponential decay is then reconstructed as the delay time is changed. Collision effects are not important in the pressure region (5.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}6}$-2.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}4}$ Torr) of the experiment and the effects due to cascading are eliminated by keeping the energy of the bombarding electrons low enough so that excitation of the

3{p}^{5}4p

levels is negligible. The measured lifetime is dependent upon the argon pressure, and this effect is attributed to resonance trapping; a value of 21\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 nsec is obtained for the natural lifetime by using the existing theories of resonance trapping to extrapolate the data to zero pressure.

We use time-correlated single-photon counting techniques on a sample of

^{210}\mathrm{Fr}

atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap to measure the lifetimes of the

9{S}_{1∕2},\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}8{P}_{3∕2}

, and

8{P}_{1∕2}

excited levels. We populate the

9{S}_{1∕2}

level by two-photon resonant excitation through the

7{P}_{1∕2}

level. The direct measurement of the

9{S}_{1∕2}

decay through the

7{P}_{3∕2}

level at 851 nm gives a lifetime of $107.53\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.90\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$. We observe the decay of the

9{S}_{1∕2}

level through the

8{P}_{3∕2}

level at 423 nm and the

8{P}_{1∕2}

level at 433 nm down to the

7{S}_{1∕2}

ground level, and indirectly determine the lifetimes of these to be $83.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$ and $149.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3.5\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$, respectively.

7^{3}S_{1}

state calculated from the data. The mean life of this state as measured by 4047 and 4358 was 0.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec. at about 3.0 mm nitrogen pressure. The mean life as measured by the line 5461 was about 0.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec. The collision cross section for the

7^{3}S_{1}

state against nitrogen was measured by measuring the polarization of 4358 at a field of 3 gauss and varying nitrogen pressures, giving the result ${{\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{q}}^{2}=1.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}16}$

{\mathrm{cm}}^{2}

The oscillator strength of the (6s6p

{)\mathrm{}}^{3}

{P}_{1}

-(6s7s

{)\mathrm{}}^{1}

{S}_{0}

transition and the lifetime of the (6s7s

{)\mathrm{}}^{1}

{S}_{0}

state in

^{174}\mathrm{Yb}

have been measured to be (8.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.6)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}4}$ and 45.8\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0 nsec, respectively. The former value was obtained by use of coherent optical techniques (optical nutation and ac Stark splitting), while the latter was obtained by monitoring cascade fluorescence following pulsed excitation.

We present a lifetime measurement of the

6s

level of rubidium. We use a time-correlated single-photon counting technique on two different samples of rubidium atoms, a vapor cell with variable rubidium density, and a sample of atoms confined and cooled in a magneto-optical trap. The

5{P}_{1∕2}

level serves as the resonant intermediate step for the two-step excitation to the

6s

level. We detect the decay of the

6s

level through the cascade fluorescence of the

5{P}_{3∕2}

level at 780 nm. The two samples have different systematic effects, but we obtain consistent results that averaged give a lifetime of $45.57\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.17\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns}$.