Transition Probabilities and Atomic Lifetimes

Émile Biémont

John R. Hiskes, C. Bruce Tarter, D. A. Moody

The radiative transition probabilities in hydrogen have been calculated for all Stark transitions through $n=25$. In general, the total transition probability and lifetime of a particular state are a function of the parabolic quantum numbers ${n}_{1}$, ${n}_{2}$, and $m$. For $m>0$ and to within an error of the order of one percent the radiative lifetimes are functions only of $n$, $m$. The radiative lifetimes are presented graphically for all states from $n=2$ through $n=25$.

Wolfgang L. Wiese, Daniel E. Kelleher, Jeffrey R. Fuhr +1 more

Xinghong He, Baiwen Li, Aiqiu Chen +1 more

A comprehensive set of transition probabilities and radiative lifetimes of Rydberg states of alkali atoms (for Na, K, Cs, n<or=30; and for Rb, n<or=50) is obtained by using a simple, exactly solvable potential model for atoms. The results agree well with the available experimental values and other theoretical ones. Scaling relations for evaluating transition probabilities and lifetimes of high Rydberg states are also discussed. The well known (n*) -5 scaling law of the transition probabilities A n(inf) not=n(inf) / with n' approximately=n>>1 is generally valid; however, the authors also find deviations from this law for some d to p and f to d transitions for Rb. A third-power polynomial is found to be better than the currently used exponential scaling law in predicting the lifetimes of even higher excited states.

Pavel A. Zaichko, A. Kuznetsova, Andrey V. Tsudik +1 more

We present the results of relativistic calculation of the radiative transition probabilities and excited states lifetimes for a heavy Rydberg atomic systems in a black-body (thermal) radiation field on example of the rubidium. As theoretical approach we apply the combined generalized relativistic energy approach and relativistic many-body perturbation theory with ab initio Dirac zeroth approximation. There are obtained the calculational data for the radiative transition probabilities and excited states lifetimes, in particular, the rubidium atom in the Rydberg states with principal quantum number n=10-100. It is carried out the comparison of obtained theoretical data on the effective lifetime for the group of Rydberg nS states of the rubidium atom at a temperature of T = 300K with experimental data as well as data of alternative theoretical calculation based on the improved quasiclassical model. It is shown that the accuracy of the theoretical data on the radiative transition probabilities and excited states lifetimes is provided by a correctness of the corresponding relativistic wave functions and accounting for the exchange-correlation effects.

Marianna S. Safronova, A.S. Safronova