Grants and Contracts Details
Description
In this project an atomic-beam spectrometer will be constructed for the investigation ofCu, Ag and Au atoms in highly
excited (Rydberg) states, and high-precision measurements of quantum defects for these atoms will be made. Rydberg states will be
populated by stepwise photo-excitation using dye lasers and their harmonics. In the final stage of excitation the atoms will be
transferred to nearby Rydberg states by microwave resonance at millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths, and the transitions will
be detected by selective field ionization (SFI) of the Rydberg atoms. As the frequency of a microwave source is tuned the resonance
transitions between Rydberg energy levels in various sequences will be observed with high accuracy and resolution. New data on
quantum defects ofCu, Ag and Au atoms as well as fine-structure splittings of the energy levels will be obtained. These data will
allow ionization potentials of improved accuracy to be determined for all the atoms listed and will allow spectral predictions and
identifications to be made with high confidence in both laboratory and astrophysical plasmas.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 4/1/07 → 3/31/09 |
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