Semi-Empirical Lifetimes for High-Energy Rydberg States of ¹³³Cs Neutral Cesium in a Blackbody Radiation Field

Natural and effective lifetimes have been calculated semi-empirically for high-energy excited states of neutral Cesium, using wave functions obtained through direct inward numerical integration of the Schrödinger equation with a central potential modeled by applying a Norcross polarizability correction to the standard Hartree-Slater core potential. A majority of experimental studies of Cesium lifetimes have been carried out at higher temperatures which allow thermal radiation to significantly deplete the lifetime of states with principal quantum number greater than. n≈16 Therefore we have also explicitly included blackbody-induced transitions in our calculations, in order to evaluate the lifetimes at temperatures of 0K, 350K, and 600K. States with principal quantum numbers n = 6-40 and orbital angular momentum quantum numbers l = 0-4 were considered. We find good agreement between our calculations and experimental results across a range of energies, angular momenta, and temperatures, but identify specific areas for continued research. Our results also indicate that at 600K the lifetime is significantly reduced compared to the lifetime at absolute zero.Our discussion includes a stepwise derivation of the unrestricted Hartree-Fock self-consistent field (SCF) method, the radial Schrödinger equation, and the Numerov method of numerical integration. We present a table of select numerical results from this calculation, along with a comprehensive list of experimental data acquired from literature between 1959 and 2011, and theoretical data acquired from the literature from 1981 through 2011.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Toledo

Year dc:date

2013

Author dc:creator

• Truxon, James M.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Theodosiou, Constantine
• Amar, Jacques

• Physics
• cesium
• cs
• rydberg states
• semi-empirical
• atomic lifetimes
• black-body radiation

Statement dc:rights

• unrestricted
• This thesis or dissertation is protected by copyright: all rights reserved. It may not be copied or redistributed beyond the terms of applicable copyright laws.

Language dc:language

English

Repository record dc:identifier

http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1356809390

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:etd.ohiolink.edu:toledo1356809390