Journal of Atomic and Molecular Physics
Energy transfer in collisions between two Cs(5D) atoms
Yifan Shen
Abstract
Using stepwise excitation of the cesium 8S atoms level in Cs vapor,several collisional and radiative processes have been identified from the intensities and spectra of the Cs fluorescence.The 5D state was populated by 8S→7P→5D transitions.In cesium densities 1016-1017?cm-3,the energy pooling collisions 5D+5D→nL+6S(nL=9D,11S,7F are studied.Since the 5D→6P(3.0-3.6 μm) fluorescence could not be detected with this experiment,the EP rate coefficients have been measured relative to the known rate coefficient of the collision,i.e.,6P+5D→6S+7D.The excited-atom density and spatial distribution were mapped by monitoring the absorption of a counterpropagating single-mode laser beam,tuned to 6P3/2→8S1/2 transition,which could be translated parallel to the pump beam.The excited atom densities are combined with measured fluorescene ratios to determine cross sections for the cesium energy pooling process.The average values(in units of 10-10?cm3s-1) for nL=9D,11S and 7F are 8.4±4.2,7.3±3.6,and 9.7±4.8,respectively.Influence on k11S and k7F of the energy transfer process 11S+6S7F+6S is also dicussed.