We report cross-section measurements of the associative-ionization process, Na(3 ${\mathit{p}}^{2}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$ )+Na(3 ${\mathit{p}}^{2}$ ${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$ )\ensuremath{\rightarrow} ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$ +e as a function of velocity, alignment, and orientation in the collision energy range from 300 to 5 K. Two independently tunable laser beams select narrow velocity classes of excited sodium in a well-collimated atomic beam. Circular and linear polarization of the excitation lasers permits alignment and orientation of the excited atoms in the two velocity classes. The excitation functions show pronounced differences reflecting different molecular pathways to the final product, and they bridge the energy range between conventional and ``cold'' collision dynamics.We report cross-section measurements of the associative-ionization process, Na(3${\mathit{p}}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$)+Na(3${\mathit{p}}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}^{+}$+e as a function of velocity, alignment, and orientation in the collision energy range from 300 to 5 K. Two independently tunable laser beams select narrow velocity classes of excited sodium in a well-collimated atomic beam. Circular and linear polarization of the excitation lasers permits alignment and orientation of the excited atoms in the two velocity classes. The excitation functions show pronounced differences reflecting different molecular pathways to the final product, and they bridge the energy range between conventional and ``cold'' collision dynamics.

Physical Review AJul 1, 199013 citations

Alignment-to-orientation conversion in the ground state of atomic Cs with linearly polarized laser excitation

Arturs Mozers, Laima Busaite, Dace Osite +1 more

In this study we explored the angular momentum alignment-to-orientation conversion occurring in various alkali metals -- K, Rb, Cs. We used a theoretical model that is based on Optical Bloch equations and uses the density matrix formalism. Our model includes the interaction of all neighboring hyperfine levels, the mixing of magnetic sublevels in an external magnetic field, the coherence properties of the exciting laser radiation, and the Doppler effect. Additionally we simulated signals where the ground- or the excited-state coherent processes were switched off allowing us to determine the origins of obtained signals. We also performed experiments on Cs atoms with two laser beams: linearly polarised Cs D1 pump and circularly polarized Cs D2 probe. We used the pump beam to create angular momentum alignment in the ground state and observed the transmission signal of the probe beam as we changed the magnetic field. Full analysis of the experimentally obtained transmission signal from a single circularly polarized probe laser component is provided.In this study we explored the angular momentum alignment-to-orientation conversion occurring in various alkali metals -- K, Rb, Cs. We used a theoretical model that is based on Optical Bloch equations and uses the density matrix formalism. Our model includes the interaction of all neighboring hyperfine levels, the mixing of magnetic sublevels in an external magnetic field, the coherence properties of the exciting laser radiation, and the Doppler effect. Additionally we simulated signals where the ground- or the excited-state coherent processes were switched off allowing us to determine the origins of obtained signals. We also performed experiments on Cs atoms with two laser beams: linearly polarised Cs D1 pump and circularly polarized Cs D2 probe. We used the pump beam to create angular momentum alignment in the ground state and observed the transmission signal of the probe beam as we changed the magnetic field. Full analysis of the experimentally obtained transmission signal from a single circularly polarized probe laser component is provided.

Dec 16, 20200 citations

Na-atom beam deceleration by a mode-locked laser

P. Strohmeier, T. Kersebom, E. Krüger +4 more

Optics CommunicationsNov 1, 198935 citations

We report cross-section measurements of the associative-ionization process, Na(3

{\mathit{p}}^{2}

{\mathit{P}}_{3/2}

)+Na(3

{\mathit{p}}^{2}

{\mathit{P}}_{3/2}

)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}

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

+e as a function of velocity, alignment, and orientation in the collision energy range from 300 to 5 K. Two independently tunable laser beams select narrow velocity classes of excited sodium in a well-collimated atomic beam. Circular and linear polarization of the excitation lasers permits alignment and orientation of the excited atoms in the two velocity classes. The excitation functions show pronounced differences reflecting different molecular pathways to the final product, and they bridge the energy range between conventional and ``cold'' collision dynamics.