Precision Measurement of Relative Dipole Matrix Elements in Atomic Sodium

<p>Relative dipole matrix elements are measured by means of a new spectroscopic technique called polarization interference spectroscopy. It is a two-color two-photon nonresonant process that maps the matrix elements into the energy domain by means of quantum mechanical interference. The technique measures the relative magnitude of the reduced matrix elements, particularly those involving excited states, to accuracies that are an order of magnitude better than previously available. Also, for the first time the relative phase of the reduced matrix elements is measured. The ratio of reduced matrix elements for the transitions 3s ²S_1/2 →3P ²P_3/2 →5s ²S_1/2 to 3s ²S_1/2 →3P ²P_1/2 →5s ²S_1/2 in sodium is +1.0012(12). This result is in agreement with the result of +1 for J independent matrices.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Year dc:date.available

1995

Author dc:creator

• Meyer, Rodney P.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mark D. Havey
• Leposava Vuskovic
• Rocco Schiavilla
• Gilbert Hoy
• Linda Vahala

• Polarization interference spectroscopy
• Astrophysics and Astronomy
• Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics

Statement dc:rights

• <p>In Copyright. URI: <a href="http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).</p>

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/physics_etds/68

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:physics_etds-1065