Free-free experiments: The search for dressed atom effects

N. L.S. Martin, C. M. Weaver, B. N. Kim, B. A. Deharak

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Experiments on free-free electron scattering, specifically the absorption or emission of 1.17 eV photons from a Nd:YAG laser field by an unbound electron when it is scattered by an atom or molecule, are reviewed. For large scattering angles such experiments are well described by a simple analytical theory that is independent of the properties of the target. At small scattering angles this theory breaks down for targets with a high dipole polarizability α, and an additional term needs to be incorporated in the scattering amplitude. This term is proportional to the dipole polarizability, and hence introduces the properties of the target into the free-free cross section - i.e., the laser field 'dresses' the atom. A progress report is given of free-free experiments designed to look for such 'dressed atom' effects during the electron-impact excitation of argon in the presence of a laser field; the lowest excited states of argon have α ≈ 300 atomic units.

Original languageEnglish
Article number134003
JournalJournal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics
Volume51
Issue number13
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 5 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 IOP Publishing Ltd.

Keywords

  • electron scattering
  • free-free
  • laser field

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • Condensed Matter Physics

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