The distribution of principal quantum numbers for high-Rydberg states of lithium, produced in a thermal atomic beam by electron impact excitation, has been determined after passage of the beam through gaseous targets. Target densities were selected for an approximately tenfold reduction of the on-axis flux of Rydberg atoms. The state distribution, determined by electric field ionization, is markedly affected by a target of rapidly rotating polar molecules having rotational energy level separations comparable to the binding energy of the Rydberg valence electron. However, the distribution is not appreciably influenced by rare-gas or slowly rotating polar molecular targets, for which the Rydberg beam spreads as a result of momentum transfer.The distribution of principal quantum numbers for high-Rydberg states of lithium, produced in a thermal atomic beam by electron impact excitation, has been determined after passage of the beam through gaseous targets. Target densities were selected for an approximately tenfold reduction of the on-axis flux of Rydberg atoms. The state distribution, determined by electric field ionization, is markedly affected by a target of rapidly rotating polar molecules having rotational energy level separations comparable to the binding energy of the Rydberg valence electron. However, the distribution is not appreciably influenced by rare-gas or slowly rotating polar molecular targets, for which the Rydberg beam spreads as a result of momentum transfer.

The Journal of Chemical PhysicsJan 1, 19815 citations

Microwave forced autoionization of Na2 Rydberg states

Christopher R. Mahon, Chung Yi Lee, Thomas F. Gallagher

We have examined the ionization of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ Rydberg states of principal quantum number n=11--16 converging to rotational-vibrational, v=3--6 and R10, states of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$ by 8-GHz microwave fields. Rydberg states lying below the lowest, v=0, R=0 (v and R are the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers of the molecular ion), ion limit of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$ are observed to ionize at approximately E=1/3 ${\mathit{n}}_{0}^{5}$ , where ${\mathit{n}}_{0}$ is the effective quantum number relative to the v=R=0 limit. The agreement with this dependence is not nearly as good as in an atom, and the possible reasons for the deviations are discussed.We have examined the ionization of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$ Rydberg states of principal quantum number n=11--16 converging to rotational-vibrational, v=3--6 and R10, states of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$ by 8-GHz microwave fields. Rydberg states lying below the lowest, v=0, R=0 (v and R are the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers of the molecular ion), ion limit of ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$ are observed to ionize at approximately E=1/3${\mathit{n}}_{0}^{5}$, where ${\mathit{n}}_{0}$ is the effective quantum number relative to the v=R=0 limit. The agreement with this dependence is not nearly as good as in an atom, and the possible reasons for the deviations are discussed.

Physical Review ASep 1, 19931 citation

Spectroscopic and ionization properties of atomic Rydberg states

S. Feneuille, P. Jacquinot

Springer eBooksJan 1, 19790 citations

Rotational-state-selective field ionization of triplet molecular Rydberg states of H

_{\mathrm{2}}

We have examined the ionization of

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}

Rydberg states of principal quantum number n=11--16 converging to rotational-vibrational, v=3--6 and R10, states of

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}

by 8-GHz microwave fields. Rydberg states lying below the lowest, v=0, R=0 (v and R are the vibrational and rotational quantum numbers of the molecular ion), ion limit of

{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}

are observed to ionize at approximately E=1/3

{\mathit{n}}_{0}^{5}

, where

{\mathit{n}}_{0}

is the effective quantum number relative to the v=R=0 limit. The agreement with this dependence is not nearly as good as in an atom, and the possible reasons for the deviations are discussed.