We have measured total cross sections for the collisional depopulation of high-lying $\mathrm{nP}$ states ($12\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}22$) of rubidium induced by thermal collisions with ground-state rubidium or rare-gas atoms. It is observed that for $n\ensuremath{\ge}14$ the rubidium-rare-gas cross sections do not vary with the principal quantum number, contrary to previous hypotheses. Our results are discussed using the simple argument of quasifree behavior of the valence electron involving either an elastic-scattering or a binary-encounter approach. However, the disagreement observed between the experimental and the computed cross sections suggests that a three-body approach is generally needed for a good understanding of collisional processes involving highly excited states.We have measured total cross sections for the collisional depopulation of high-lying $\mathrm{nP}$ states ($12\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}22$) of rubidium induced by thermal collisions with ground-state rubidium or rare-gas atoms. It is observed that for $n\ensuremath{\ge}14$ the rubidium-rare-gas cross sections do not vary with the principal quantum number, contrary to previous hypotheses. Our results are discussed using the simple argument of quasifree behavior of the valence electron involving either an elastic-scattering or a binary-encounter approach. However, the disagreement observed between the experimental and the computed cross sections suggests that a three-body approach is generally needed for a good understanding of collisional processes involving highly excited states.

Physical Review AJun 1, 197762 citations

Thermal-energy collisions of rubidium Rydberg states with N2 molecules

L. Petitjean, F. Gounand, P. R. Fournier

The total depopulation cross sections by ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ of high rubidium Rydberg states, $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{ns}) (n=25\ensuremath{-}46)$ and $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nd}) (n=23\ensuremath{-}44)$, have been measured using time-resolved field ionization technique and compared to previous results obtained on the quenching of $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nl})$ by CO. It is shown that the $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nl})$ depopulation by ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ is much less efficient than the $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nl})$ depopulation by CO and leads mainly to the quasielastic process of angular momentum mixing via the short-range interaction between the quasifree Rydberg-state electron and the molecule. It is clearly demonstrated that the presence of a permanent dipole in CO changes the collisional processes drastically. The agreement between experimental and theoretical predictions based on the impulse approximation is quite satisfactory.The total depopulation cross sections by ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ of high rubidium Rydberg states, $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{ns}) (n=25\ensuremath{-}46)$ and $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nd}) (n=23\ensuremath{-}44)$, have been measured using time-resolved field ionization technique and compared to previous results obtained on the quenching of $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nl})$ by CO. It is shown that the $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nl})$ depopulation by ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ is much less efficient than the $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nl})$ depopulation by CO and leads mainly to the quasielastic process of angular momentum mixing via the short-range interaction between the quasifree Rydberg-state electron and the molecule. It is clearly demonstrated that the presence of a permanent dipole in CO changes the collisional processes drastically. The agreement between experimental and theoretical predictions based on the impulse approximation is quite satisfactory.

Physical Review AAug 1, 198423 citations

Collisionally induced ionization of Rubidium atoms in rydberg states

Tom J. Whitaker, Bruce A. Bushaw

Chemical Physics LettersMay 1, 198115 citations

Collisional depopulation of rubidium Rydberg states by ND3

L. Petitjean, F. Gounand, P. R. Fournier

This paper reports the measurement of the depopulation cross sections of the Rb(ns) and Rb(nd) states by ${\mathrm{ND}}_{3}$ (23\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}50). The experimental data are discussed with reference to previous work done on collisions between Rb(ns) and Rb(nd) states and ${\mathrm{NH}}_{3}$ .This paper reports the measurement of the depopulation cross sections of the Rb(ns) and Rb(nd) states by ${\mathrm{ND}}_{3}$ (23\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}50). The experimental data are discussed with reference to previous work done on collisions between Rb(ns) and Rb(nd) states and ${\mathrm{NH}}_{3}$.

Physical Review AFeb 1, 19869 citations

Collisional ionization processes of rubidium Rydberg states

Andrey N. Klyucharev, A. V. Lazarenko, Valery A. Sheverev

OptSpJun 1, 19790 citations

We have measured total cross sections for the collisional depopulation of high-lying

\mathrm{nP}

states ($12\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}22$) of rubidium induced by thermal collisions with ground-state rubidium or rare-gas atoms. It is observed that for $n\ensuremath{\ge}14$ the rubidium-rare-gas cross sections do not vary with the principal quantum number, contrary to previous hypotheses. Our results are discussed using the simple argument of quasifree behavior of the valence electron involving either an elastic-scattering or a binary-encounter approach. However, the disagreement observed between the experimental and the computed cross sections suggests that a three-body approach is generally needed for a good understanding of collisional processes involving highly excited states.

The total depopulation cross sections by

{\mathrm{N}}_{2}

of high rubidium Rydberg states, $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{ns}) (n=25\ensuremath{-}46)$ and $\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nd}) (n=23\ensuremath{-}44)$, have been measured using time-resolved field ionization technique and compared to previous results obtained on the quenching of

\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nl})

by CO. It is shown that the

\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nl})

depopulation by

{\mathrm{N}}_{2}

is much less efficient than the

\mathrm{Rb}(\mathrm{nl})

depopulation by CO and leads mainly to the quasielastic process of angular momentum mixing via the short-range interaction between the quasifree Rydberg-state electron and the molecule. It is clearly demonstrated that the presence of a permanent dipole in CO changes the collisional processes drastically. The agreement between experimental and theoretical predictions based on the impulse approximation is quite satisfactory.

This paper reports the measurement of the depopulation cross sections of the Rb(ns) and Rb(nd) states by

{\mathrm{ND}}_{3}

(23\ensuremath{\le}n\ensuremath{\le}50). The experimental data are discussed with reference to previous work done on collisions between Rb(ns) and Rb(nd) states and

{\mathrm{NH}}_{3}