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Electron-impact ionization cross sections out of the ground and 6^{2}P excited states of cesium

Michał Łukomski, Sean Sutton, W. Kedzierski, T J Reddish, Klaus Bartschat, Philip L. Bartlett, Igor Bray, A. T. Stelbovics, J. William McConkey

Published Jan 1, 2006• 2 citations
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Abstract

An atom trapping technique for determining absolute, total ionization cross sections (TICS) out of an excited atom is presented. The unique feature of our method is in utilizing Doppler cooling of neutral atoms to determine ionization cross sections. This fluorescence-monitoring experiment, which is a variant of the “trap loss” technique, has enabled us to obtain the experimental electron impact ionization cross sections out of the Cs 6 2P3∕2 state between 7 eV and 400 eV. CCC, RMPS, and Born theoretical results are also presented for both the ground and excited states of cesium and rubidium. In the low energy region (<11 eV) where best agreement between these excited state measurements and theory might be expected, a discrepancy of approximately a factor of five is observed. Above this energy there are significant contributions to the TICS from both autoionization and multiple ionization.

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An atom trapping technique for determining absolute, total ionization cross sections (TICS) out of an excited atom is presented. The unique feature of our method is in utilizing Doppler cooling of neutral atoms to determine ionization cross sections. This fluorescence-monitoring experiment, which is a variant of the ``trap loss'' technique, has enabled us to obtain the experimental electron impact ionization cross sections out of the Cs $6\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}^{2}{P}_{3∕2}$ state between $7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ and $400\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$. CCC, RMPS, and Born theoretical results are also presented for both the ground and excited states of cesium and rubidium. In the low energy region $(<11\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV})$ where best agreement between these excited state measurements and theory might be expected, a discrepancy of approximately a factor of five is observed. Above this energy there are significant contributions to the TICS from both autoionization and multiple ionization.

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Electron-atom collisions: From Franck-Hertz experiment to atom traps

Chang-Chun Lin

The key features of the cross sections for electron-impact excitation out of the ground levels of the rare-gas atoms are summarized and application of these cross section data is shown. This is followed by discussions of recent experiments on determination of electron-impact cross sections for excitation out of the metastable levels of He and Ar. The metastiable atom targets are produced by two different methods, i.e., hollow-cathode discharges and charge-exchange collisions of rare-gas ions with Cs atoms. The former method is simple but is limited to low electron energies because of the very small metastable concentration, whereas the latter method yields a fast target beam with predominantly metastable atoms allowing measurements up to the keV range. The measured cross sections show features very different from those of excitation out of the ground levels. Another new development in electron-atom collision is the use of atom traps for measuring ionization cross sections. The experiment is conducted by passing an electron beam pulse through magneto-optically trapped Rb atoms while the trap is momentarily turned off. Turning the trap back on immediately after the electron beam pulse recaptures the unionized atoms allowing only the ions to escape. The ionization cross section is determined bymore » measuring the electron beam current density at the trapped atom region and the fractional loss of trapped atoms due to the electron beam. This method avoids measurements of the absolute number of the target atoms and the overlap between the atomic and electron beams and therefore eliminates the major sources of uncertainty associated with the crossed-beam method for measuring ionization cross section.« less

Bulletin of the American Physical Society•May 1, 1996•0 citations

Electron collision studies of cesium using a magneto-optical trap.

J. A. MacAskill

Experiments involving a magneto-optical trap (MOT) as the target in electron impact cross section studies were carried out. The use of a MOT allows the kinematic properties of the target atoms, and their electronic states, to be controlled via operating parameters of the MOT's lasers. A MOT is capable of saturating the excited state of a gaseous target of atoms and provides a unique opportunity to measure exotic collision processes. Measurements use a trap-loss technique to relate the loss rate of atoms from the trap due to electron interactions to a collision cross section. Total scattering cross section measurements are given for the 62S 1/2 ground state and the 62P3/2 excited state of cesium. The excited state measurement is the first measurement of its kind. Total ionization cross sections are also presented for the both the 6 2S1/2 ground state and 62P3/2 excited state. The ionization cross sections are measured by adjusting the radiation force of the MOT lasers to damp the elastic scattering component of the total cross section. The ionization cross section for the excited state is the first experimental determination of its kind. Full details of the experimental apparatus and the analysis procedure are presented. The results of this experiment are combined with other experimental data and compared to the most recent calculations.Dept. of Physics. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2003 .M322. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 64-10, Section: B, page: 4996. Adviser: J. W. McConkey. Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2003.

•Oct 1, 2003•1 citation

Electron Collisions in a Magneto-Optical Trap

Jeffery P. Dech

Measurements of the multiple ionization cross section ratios of Cesium were performed with ion time-of-flight (TOF) spectroscopy with a magneto-optical trap (MOT) apparatus, updating the previous measurement which dates back almost a century. Results are presented for collisions at energies of 50 eV to 120 eV. With a MOT, experiments can be performed with trapped, cold atomic targets which allow for unparalleled accuracy and experiments with signicant excited state target fractions above those achievable in most atomic beam experiments. A basic overview of optical cooling trapping, electron collision and atomic phenomena are presented. Experimental studies of electrons with Argon and Cesium targets were performed, measuring the multiple ionization ratios with ion TOF spectroscopy. The experimental apparatus and analysis methods are described in detail. Results are compared with previous measurements of multiple ionization ratios for both targets. Agreement within experimental error is found with the results of Tate and Smith across the energy range.

•Jan 1, 2015•0 citations
An atom trapping technique for determining absolute, total ionization cross sections (TICS) out of an excited atom is presented. The unique feature of our method is in utilizing Doppler cooling of neutral atoms to determine ionization cross sections. This fluorescence-monitoring experiment, which is a variant of the “trap loss” technique, has enabled us to obtain the experimental electron impact ionization cross sections out of the Cs 6 2P3∕2 state between 7 eV and 400 eV. CCC, RMPS, and Born theoretical results are also presented for both the ground and excited states of cesium and rubidium. In the low energy region (<11 eV) where best agreement between these excited state measurements and theory might be expected, a discrepancy of approximately a factor of five is observed. Above this energy there are significant contributions to the TICS from both autoionization and multiple ionization.
An atom trapping technique for determining absolute, total ionization cross sections (TICS) out of an excited atom is presented. The unique feature of our method is in utilizing Doppler cooling of neutral atoms to determine ionization cross sections. This fluorescence-monitoring experiment, which is a variant of the ``trap loss'' technique, has enabled us to obtain the experimental electron impact ionization cross sections out of the Cs 62P3∕26\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}^{2}{P}_{3∕2}62P3∕2​ state between 7eV7\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}7eV and 400eV400\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}400eV. CCC, RMPS, and Born theoretical results are also presented for both the ground and excited states of cesium and rubidium. In the low energy region (<11eV)(<11\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV})(<11eV) where best agreement between these excited state measurements and theory might be expected, a discrepancy of approximately a factor of five is observed. Above this energy there are significant contributions to the TICS from both autoionization and multiple ionization.
Laser cooling and trapping of neutral atoms has been employed for the measurement of the total electron impact cross sections of the ground state 62 S 1/2 of 133Cs atoms in the energy range from 80 to 500 eV. The total electron impact cross sections of the cold Cs atoms in the MOT were measured by observing the decay of the MOT after the interaction with the electron beam, and were found to depend only on the electron flux and not on the total number of atoms in the MOT. We confirm and extend the existing data on these measurements.
The key features of the cross sections for electron-impact excitation out of the ground levels of the rare-gas atoms are summarized and application of these cross section data is shown. This is followed by discussions of recent experiments on determination of electron-impact cross sections for excitation out of the metastable levels of He and Ar. The metastiable atom targets are produced by two different methods, i.e., hollow-cathode discharges and charge-exchange collisions of rare-gas ions with Cs atoms. The former method is simple but is limited to low electron energies because of the very small metastable concentration, whereas the latter method yields a fast target beam with predominantly metastable atoms allowing measurements up to the keV range. The measured cross sections show features very different from those of excitation out of the ground levels. Another new development in electron-atom collision is the use of atom traps for measuring ionization cross sections. The experiment is conducted by passing an electron beam pulse through magneto-optically trapped Rb atoms while the trap is momentarily turned off. Turning the trap back on immediately after the electron beam pulse recaptures the unionized atoms allowing only the ions to escape. The ionization cross section is determined bymore » measuring the electron beam current density at the trapped atom region and the fractional loss of trapped atoms due to the electron beam. This method avoids measurements of the absolute number of the target atoms and the overlap between the atomic and electron beams and therefore eliminates the major sources of uncertainty associated with the crossed-beam method for measuring ionization cross section.« less
Experiments involving a magneto-optical trap (MOT) as the target in electron impact cross section studies were carried out. The use of a MOT allows the kinematic properties of the target atoms, and their electronic states, to be controlled via operating parameters of the MOT's lasers. A MOT is capable of saturating the excited state of a gaseous target of atoms and provides a unique opportunity to measure exotic collision processes. Measurements use a trap-loss technique to relate the loss rate of atoms from the trap due to electron interactions to a collision cross section. Total scattering cross section measurements are given for the 62S 1/2 ground state and the 62P3/2 excited state of cesium. The excited state measurement is the first measurement of its kind. Total ionization cross sections are also presented for the both the 6 2S1/2 ground state and 62P3/2 excited state. The ionization cross sections are measured by adjusting the radiation force of the MOT lasers to damp the elastic scattering component of the total cross section. The ionization cross section for the excited state is the first experimental determination of its kind. Full details of the experimental apparatus and the analysis procedure are presented. The results of this experiment are combined with other experimental data and compared to the most recent calculations.Dept. of Physics. Paper copy at Leddy Library: Theses & Major Papers - Basement, West Bldg. / Call Number: Thesis2003 .M322. Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 64-10, Section: B, page: 4996. Adviser: J. W. McConkey. Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Windsor (Canada), 2003.
Measurements of the multiple ionization cross section ratios of Cesium were performed with ion time-of-flight (TOF) spectroscopy with a magneto-optical trap (MOT) apparatus, updating the previous measurement which dates back almost a century. Results are presented for collisions at energies of 50 eV to 120 eV. With a MOT, experiments can be performed with trapped, cold atomic targets which allow for unparalleled accuracy and experiments with signicant excited state target fractions above those achievable in most atomic beam experiments. A basic overview of optical cooling trapping, electron collision and atomic phenomena are presented. Experimental studies of electrons with Argon and Cesium targets were performed, measuring the multiple ionization ratios with ion TOF spectroscopy. The experimental apparatus and analysis methods are described in detail. Results are compared with previous measurements of multiple ionization ratios for both targets. Agreement within experimental error is found with the results of Tate and Smith across the energy range.