Two-Photon Quantum Interference Polarization Spectroscopy: Measurements of Transition Matrix Elements in Atomic Rubidium

<p>The estimation of the adequacy of theoretical calculations on the atomic structure requires availability of the precise experimental data on radiative properties of the atoms. Such data is also required in astronomy and some important areas of technology. The lack of precision of traditional spectroscopic studies of atom presents a fundamental obstacle for progress in these areas. For example, in atomic rubidium, the best precision of the traditional spectroscopic results is on the order of about 1 - 5%, which does not allow for clear assessment of the latest sophisticated theoretical calculations on atomic rubidium structure, with emphasis on different, in nature, effects. This situation is typical for atomic physics in general.</p> <p>The purpose of present study is obtaining the experimental data on the radiative properties of atomic rubidium with precision considerably higher than that of the traditional spectroscopic methods. This is accomplished by means of the two-photon quantum interference polarization spectroscopy. A two-photon polarization spectrum of the rubidium atom is obtained in the range of detunings -417 cm^-1 to +99 cm^-1 from atomic 5s²S_1/2-5p ²P_3/2-*8s²S_1/2resonance. From analysis of the spectra the relativistic and many body effects on the wavefiinctions are revealed in the form of a uniquely defined parameter q = 2 x 10^-6 (5) cm and an exact relation between parameters R and p which quantitatively describes the process:</p> <p>R = 1.01756 (57) + 81.466 (15) p</p> <p>where R is dimensionless and p is in cm. The obtained results can be thought of as specific experimentally established two-photon sum rules and can be used for testing the accuracy of the theoretical wavefiinctions. The experimental technique has important advantages comparing to some traditional spectroscopic methods and is essentially free of systematic effects.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Year dc:date.available

1996

Author dc:creator

• Beger, Alexander I.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mark D. Havey
• Charles E. Hyde-Wright
• Gary E. Copeland
• Lawrence B. Weinstein
• Daniel Sonenshine

• Atomic rubidium
• Matrix elements
• Measurements
• Photon
• 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>

Identifier

9780591048582

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.odu.edu:physics_etds-1100