The prediction of the energy level shifts and intensity transfer in atomic hydrogen and helium spectra caused by an external electric field was one of the first applications of wave mechanics. Early measurements relied on electrical discharge sources for excited atoms; since discharge processes will not produce excited states with n > 7 in observable densities, very large (10s to 100s kV cm) electric fields were required to resolve spectral modifications. The development of high peak power lasers enabled excitation to high n (Rydberg) states, increasing field sensitivity down to millivolts/cm and allowing comparison of experiment and theory in well-defined conditions. Field modified selection rules can be used to measure the field direction as well as magnitude. Analysis of line shape simulations of Stark modified Rydberg spectra reveals pitfalls in commonly used field measurement techniques. An ambiguity in defining series termination results in a factor of 2 discrepancy in field measurements based on Inglis Teller line merging. Field-induced line broadening (unresolved manifold splitting) in triplet and singlet helium are shown to differ significantly, with triplet broadening nonlinear with field.The prediction of the energy level shifts and intensity transfer in atomic hydrogen and helium spectra caused by an external electric field was one of the first applications of wave mechanics. Early measurements relied on electrical discharge sources for excited atoms; since discharge processes will not produce excited states with n > 7 in observable densities, very large (10s to 100s kV cm) electric fields were required to resolve spectral modifications. The development of high peak power lasers enabled excitation to high n (Rydberg) states, increasing field sensitivity down to millivolts/cm and allowing comparison of experiment and theory in well-defined conditions. Field modified selection rules can be used to measure the field direction as well as magnitude. Analysis of line shape simulations of Stark modified Rydberg spectra reveals pitfalls in commonly used field measurement techniques. An ambiguity in defining series termination results in a factor of 2 discrepancy in field measurements based on Inglis Teller line merging. Field-induced line broadening (unresolved manifold splitting) in triplet and singlet helium are shown to differ significantly, with triplet broadening nonlinear with field.

Annual Meeting Optical Society of AmericaJan 1, 19890 citations

High n (2 < n < 50) Rydberg transitions in neutral helium

P. Quinet, Émile Biémont

May 27, 19930 citations

New variational techniques for the 1sndstates of helium

G. W. F. Drake

New variational techniques are described which yield a factor of 1000 improvement in accuracy for the energies of the 1snd $^{1}\mathrm{D}$ and $^{3}\mathrm{D}$ states of helium up to n=8. Convergence to better than \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 kHz is obtained, making possible high-precision comparisons with experiment for fine structure and singlet-triplet splittings. The comparisons are sensitive to QED, relativistic recoil, and second-order mass-polarization corrections.New variational techniques are described which yield a factor of 1000 improvement in accuracy for the energies of the 1snd $^{1}\mathrm{D}$ and $^{3}\mathrm{D}$ states of helium up to n=8. Convergence to better than \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 kHz is obtained, making possible high-precision comparisons with experiment for fine structure and singlet-triplet splittings. The comparisons are sensitive to QED, relativistic recoil, and second-order mass-polarization corrections.

Physical Review LettersOct 5, 198781 citations

Energies and Asymptotic Analysis for Helium Rydberg States

G. W. F. Drake

Advances in atomic, molecular, and optical physicsJan 1, 199342 citations

New variational techniques are described which yield a factor of 1000 improvement in accuracy for the energies of the 1snd

^{1}\mathrm{D}

and

^{3}\mathrm{D}

states of helium up to n=8. Convergence to better than \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 kHz is obtained, making possible high-precision comparisons with experiment for fine structure and singlet-triplet splittings. The comparisons are sensitive to QED, relativistic recoil, and second-order mass-polarization corrections.