Comment on Orientation, Alignment, and Hyperfine Effects on Dissociation of Diatomic Molecules to Open Shell Atoms

A recent paper in this journal [Y. B. Band e t a l., J. Chem. Phys. 8 4, 3762 (1986)] reported parameters describing orientation and alignment produced, in an axial recoil limit, by one photondissociation of diatomic molecules. Reported also were values, applicable to the resonance transitions of the alkali atoms, for orientation and alignment depolarization coefficients. Most of the numerical values reported for the coefficients were incorrect, in some cases by as much as a factor of 2. We report a tabulation of correct depolarization coefficients applicable to the resonance transitions of common alkali isotopes. Further, the coefficients depend on measured hyperfine splittings and radiative lifetimes. Thus, uncertainties in the coefficients reflecting those in measured quantities are also presented. An application of our results to a recent Na2photodissociation experiment [E. W. Rothe e t a l., Chem. Phys. Lett. 2 2, 100 (1980)] is also made

Systematic Estimate of Binding Energies of Weakly Bound Diatomic Molecules

There is often insufficient spectroscopic data for a full RKR inversion to yield a potential for weakly bound diatomic molecules. In these cases, parametrized functions such as the Morse or Thakkar potentials may be used to obtain estimates of the binding energy. The Thakkar potential is more flexible, and has been used successfully on some weakly bound systems. In the more usual case, the Thakkar parameter p, which determines long range behavior R-p, is chosen by p=-a1-1, where a1 is the first Dunham coefficient; p is usually noninteger. The authors present an alternative choice for p which makes systematic use of the determinable Thakkar coefficients en(p); they choose p to be the minimum integer necessary to obtain monotonically decreasing positive values for the en(p). This approach, which yields good estimates of known ground and excited state binding energies for numerous diatomic molecules, also produces physically meaningful R-6 long-range behavior for the known NaAr and NaNe potentials

Quadrature noise in light propagating through a cold 87Rb atomic gas

We report on the study of the noise properties of laser light propagating through a cold 87Rb atomic sample held in a magneto-optical trap. The laser is tuned around the Fg = 2 \rightarrow Fe = 1, 2 D1 transitions of 87Rb. We observe quadrature-dependent noise in the light signal, an indication that it may be possible to produce squeezed states of light. We measure the minimum and maximum phase-dependent noise as a function of detuning and compare these results to theoretical predictions to explore the best conditions for light squeezing using cold atomic Rb

Nonadiabatic Theory of Fine-Structure Branching Cross Sections for Na-He, Na-Ne, and Na-Ar Optical Collisions

The nonadiabatic close-coupled theory of atomic collisions in a radiation field is generalized to include electron spin and is used to consider the weak-field Na–rare-gas (RG) optical collision Na(2S1/2)+RG+nhν μNa(2Pj)+RG+(n-1)hν. The effects of detuning and incident energy on the branching into the atomic Na 3p2P3/2 and 3p2P1/2 states are examined. The cross sections σ(j) are found to have a strong asymmetry between red and blue detuning as well as a complex threshold and resonance structure dependence on energy. A partial cross-section analysis of σ(j) shows a significant difference between contributions from states of e and f molecular parity. The theoretically calculated detuning dependence of the branching ratio into each fine-structure state is in good agreement with available experimental data for Na-Ar, Na-Ne, and Na-He, as well as the total absorption coefficient for the production of Na 3p atoms. The fine-structure branching ratio for thermal energy collisions shows considerable variation with a rare-gas collision partner, due to the different interaction potentials. For sufficiently high collision energy, the branching approaches a recoil limit which is independent of collision partner

Theory and Application of Dissociative Electron Capture in Molecular Identification

The coupling of an electron monochromator (EM) to a mass spectrometer (MS) has created a new analytical technique, EM-MS, for the investigation of electrophilic compounds. This method provides a powerful tool for molecular identification of compounds contained in complex matrices, such as environmental samples. EM-MS expands the application and selectivity of traditional MS through the inclusion of a new dimension in the space of molecular characteristics--the electron resonance energy spectrum. However, before this tool can realize its full potential, it will be necessary to create a library of resonance energy scans from standards of the molecules for which EM-MS offers a practical means of detection. Here, an approach supplementing direct measurement with chemical inference and quantum scattering theory is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of directly calculating resonance energy spectra. This approach makes use of the symmetry of the transition-matrix element of the captured electron to discriminate between the spectra of isomers. As a way of validating this approach, the resonance values for twenty-five nitrated aromatic compounds were measured along with their relative abundance. Subsequently, the spectra for the isomers of nitrotoluene were shown to be consistent with the symmetry-based model. The initial success of this treatment suggests that it might be possible to predict negative ion resonances and thus create a library of EM-MS standards.Comment: 18 pages, 7 figure

Polarization Self-rotation in Ultracold Atomic Rb

We report on a combined experimental and theoretical study of polarization self-rotation in an ultracold atomic sample. In the experiments, a probe laser is tuned in the spectral vicinity of the D1 line to observe polarization self-rotation in a sample of ultracold Rb prepared in a magneto-optical trap. Systematic measurements of the rotation angle of the light-polarization ellipse as a function of laser intensity, initial ellipticity and detuning are made. The observations, in good agreement with theoretical simulations, are indicative of the presence of a residual static magnetic field, resulting in measured asymmetries in the rotation angle for right and left ellipticities. In this paper we present our detailed experimental results and analysis of the combined influences of polarization self-rotation and the Faraday effect.Comment: 9 pages, 12 figures Some figures redone for clarity, better explanation for discrepancy of model and experimental dat

Experimental Fine-Structure Branching Ratios for Na-Rare-Gas Optical Collisions

Experimental ratios for branching into the fine-structure levels of the Na 3p multiplet, as a consequence of an optical collision with He, Ne, Ar, Kr, or Xe, are reported. The process studied is Na(3s2S1/2)+R+nhNNa(3p2Pj)+R+(n-1)hN, where R represents a rare-gas atom and where the laser frequency N is tuned in the wings of the Na resonance transitions. The branching ratios are defined as I(D1)/I(D2) where I(D1) and I(D2) are measured intensities of the atomic Na D1 and D2 lines. The ratios are determined for detunings ranging from about 650 cm-1 in the blue wing to 170 cm-1 in the red wing of the Na 3p multiplet. The branching is found to be strongly detuning dependent in the vicinity of the NaAr, NaKr, and NaXe, near-red-wing satellites. The blue-wing branching ratios show a detuning-dependent approach to a recoil, or sudden statistical, limit of 0.5, irrespective of the rare gas. Fine-structure changing cross sections have also been measured for resonant excitation of the Na 3p2Pj state; the results are consistent with cross sections obtained from wing excitation

Lynx X-Ray Observatory: An Overview

Lynx, one of the four strategic mission concepts under study for the 2020 Astrophysics Decadal Survey, provides leaps in capability over previous and planned x-ray missions and provides synergistic observations in the 2030s to a multitude of space- and ground-based observatories across all wavelengths. Lynx provides orders of magnitude improvement in sensitivity, on-axis subarcsecond imaging with arcsecond angular resolution over a large field of view, and high-resolution spectroscopy for point-like and extended sources in the 0.2- to 10-keV range. The Lynx architecture enables a broad range of unique and compelling science to be carried out mainly through a General Observer Program. This program is envisioned to include detecting the very first seed black holes, revealing the high-energy drivers of galaxy formation and evolution, and characterizing the mechanisms that govern stellar evolution and stellar ecosystems. The Lynx optics and science instruments are carefully designed to optimize the science capability and, when combined, form an exciting architecture that utilizes relatively mature technologies for a cost that is compatible with the projected NASA Astrophysics budget

Atomic Resonance and Scattering

Contains reports on three research projects.U.S. Air Force - Office of Scientific Research (Grant AFOSR-76-2972)National Science Foundation (Grant CHE79-02967)National Science Foundation (Grant PHY79-09743