AIP conference proceedings
Experimental fine-structure branching ratios for Na-rare gas optical collisions
Mark D. Havey, F. T. Delahanty, Linda L. Vahala, Gary E. Copeland
Abstract
Experimental ratios for branching into the fine‐structure levels of the Na 3p multiplet, as a consequence of an optical collision with He, Ne, Ar, Kr, or Xe, are reported. The process studied is Na(3s2S1/2) +RG+nhν → Na(3p2 Pj)+RG+(n−1)hν, where RG represents a rare gas atom and where the laser frequency ν is tuned in the wings of the Na resonance transitions. The branching ratios are defined as I(D1)/I(D2) where I(D1) and I(D2) are measured intensities of the atomic Na D1 and D2 lines. The ratios are determined for detunings ranging from about 650 cm−1 blue to 170 cm−1 red of the Na 3p multiplet. The branching is found to be strongly detuning dependent in the vicinity of the NaKr and NaXe near red‐wing satellites. The blue wing branching ratios show a detuning‐dependent approach to a recoil or sudden statistical limit of 0.5, irrespective of the rare gas.