Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics Commons^™

Shock-Wave Structure In A Monatomic Gas Mixture With Rydberg Atoms, Anna Markhotok

Physics Faculty Publications

The effect of atom size on the shock-wave structure in a binary monatomic gas mixture with Rydberg atoms has been investigated. The problem was solved numerically using the system of hydrodynamic equations in argon gas for the atom-size ratios between 2 and 100, T = 1500 K, and the density between 10¹⁷ and 10²⁰ m−³. It was found that the presence of larger-sized atoms in the mixture results in shock front splitting that is on the order of the mean free path for this component. The results could be of interest in supersonic plasma dynamics and in astrophysics, studying shock …

Laser–Assisted Free–Free (Laff) Electron Scattering: An Elastic Angular Distribution In Argon And The Use Of A Novel Pulsed-Laser Multipass System In Laff Experiments, Charles M. Weaver

Theses and Dissertations--Physics and Astronomy

Laser–assisted free–free experiments investigate the emission or absorption of photons when an electron scatters from an atom in the presence of a laser field.

We measured the relative differential cross sections for 350 eV electrons scattered by an argon target in the presence of 1.17 eV photons from a Nd:YAG laser. The angular distribution for elastically scattered 350 eV electrons was measured over scattering angles from 4◦ to 80◦. This distribution exhibits a pronounced maximum near 47◦ and is symmetric about this angle, as predicted by a Kroll–Watson approximation (KWA) calculation for the experimental kinematics. These measurements directly test a …

Beamed: A Bench For Automated Measurements Of Electrical Discharges - A New Standard For Paschen Curves, Jared Nelson

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The initiation of electrical discharges, particularly glow discharges, plays a significant role in industry and environmental science, affecting systems such as electronics, power grids, and atmospheric phenomena. Despite extensive studies and applications of Paschen's law, current methodologies for experimental Paschen tests in direct current (DC) conditions lack standardized practices. This thesis presents the development and validation of a DC-based standard for electrical discharge initiation, using the BEnch for Automated Measurements of Electrical Discharges (BeAMED). BeAMED is designed to standardize the experimental process by automating electrical discharges' initiation and data acquisition. The autonomous nature of the system provides insights into the …

Doubly Charged Dimers And Trimers Of Heavy Noble Gases, Gabriel Schöpfer, Stefan Bergmeister, Milan Ončák, Ianessa Stromberg, Masoomeh Mahmoodi-Darian, Paul Scheier, Olof Echt, Elisabeth Gruber

Faculty Publications

Many doubly charged heteronuclear dimers are metastable or even thermodynamically stable with respect to charge separation. Homonuclear dicationic dimers, however, are more difficult to form. He₂²⁺ was the first noble gas dimer predicted to be metastable and, decades later, observed. Ne₂²⁺ is the only other dicationic noble gas dimer that has been detected so far. Here, we present a novel approach to form fragile dicationic species, by post-ionization of singly charged ions that are embedded in helium nanodroplets (HNDs). Bare ions are then extracted by colliding the HNDs with helium gas. We detect homonuclear doubly charged …

Apparatus And Instrumentation Design For Investigation Of Surface Impact Effects On Superconductivity, Austin Back

All Theses

The effects of ion irradiation on the physical properties of materials make EBITs an invaluable tool for many scientific and engineering fields. Many experiments rely on the use of these lab setups to test for device reliability, explore surface physics phenomena, and replicate the environment for many physical systems that are not readily accessible. We seek to extend the capabilities of these experiments using the CUEBIT and a new sample holder installed in section 3.

This thesis begins by presenting an overview of the CUEBIT and the basic operations of the equipment. This is followed by a brief explanation of …

The Population Densities Of Argon Metastable Levels, Nada Khogeer, Chelsy Gonzalez, Milka Nikolic

Physics and Astronomy

In this experiment, we used the optical emission spectroscopy (OES) method to obtain the main properties of low temperature Argon plasma. The experiment was sustained in powers and pressures that ranges from 30-100 W and 15-100 mTorr. We used numerical methods for the Argon kinetic model to calculate metastable levels and resonant states for the first excited states in low temperature Argon plasma. By finding the ratio of two spectral lines and finding another ratio from a different upper energy level that goes down to the same two lower energy levels, we can construct a system of two nonlinear equations. …

Measurements Of Population Densities Of Metastable And Resonant Levels Of Argon Using Laser Induced Fluorescence, M. Nikolic, J. Newton, C. I. Sukenik, L. Vuskovic, S. Popovic

Physics Faculty Publications

We present a new approach to measure population densities of Ar I metastable and resonant excited states in low temperature Ar plasmas at pressures higher than 1 Torr. This approach combines the time resolved laser induced fluorescence technique with the kinetic model of Ar. The kinetic model of Ar is based on calculating the population rates of metastable and resonant levels by including contributions from the processes that affect population densities of Ar I excited states. In particular, we included collisional quenching processes between atoms in the ground state and excited states, since we are investigating plasma at higher pressures. …

Experimental Investigation Of Long-Lived Rydberg States In Ultracold Argon, G. Ranjit, C. I. Sukenik

Physics Faculty Publications

We report on our investigation of the formation and survival of long-lived Rydberg states in argon produced by pulsed laser excitation of ultracold metastable state argon atoms in a magneto-optical trap. The states studied have a 2P1/2 core. Low angular momentum Rydberg states with this core normally autoionize rapidly. If, however, atoms are excited in the presence of electric fields, higher angular momentum states, traditionally termed ZEKE states (ZEKE is derived from zero kinetic energy) can be formed. The lifetime of these states can be orders of magnitude greater than low angular momentum states. In this paper, we report on …

Photoassociative Spectroscopy Of Ultracold Metastable Argon, M. K. Shaffer, G. Ranjit, C. I. Sukenik, M. Walhout

Physics Faculty Publications

We present results of photoassociative spectroscopy performed on ultracold metastable argonatoms in a magneto-optical trap. Ion spectra are obtained with laser detuning up to a few gigahertz below the 4s[3/2]₂ → 4p[5/2]₃ trapping transition at 811 nm and with intensities in a range of ~(10²-10⁵)I_Sat. We also compute dipole-dipole potentials for both singly and doubly excited diatomic molecules and use a Leroy-Bernstein analysis to determine the approximate vibrational spacings in the (s+p) and (p+p) manifolds. Based on this theoretical framework, we explain a broad background feature in our data and suggest that …

Photoassociative Spectroscopy Of Ultracold Metastable Argon And Study Of Dual Species Trap Loss In A Rubidium-Metastable Argon Mot, Michael K. Shaffer

Physics Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation presents the findings of two experimental investigations in ultracold atomic and molecular physics: The study of the dual species trap loss in a rubidium - metastable argon magneto-optical trap and the photoassociative spectroscopy of ultracold metastable argon. The interspecies trap loss rate coefficients have been measured for ultracold collisions between ⁸⁵Rb and ⁴⁰Ar* in a dual-species magneto-optical trap (MOT) and the two rates have been found to be approximately equal over the range of intensities studied with values of β'_Rb–Ar* = 3.0 ± 1.3 × 10^-11 cm³/s and β'_Ar*–Rb = 1.9 …

Trap Loss In A Dual-Species Rb-Ar* Magneto-Optical Trap, H. C. Busch, M. K. Shaffer, E. M. Ahmed, C. I. Sukenik

Physics Faculty Publications

We have investigated trap loss in a dual-species magneto-optical trap (MOT) comprised of 85Rb and metastable 40Ar. We measure the trap loss rate coefficients for each species due to the presence of the other as a function of trap light intensity. We clearly identify both Penning ionization of Rb by Ar* and associative ionization to form the molecular ion RbAr+ as two of the trap loss channels. We have also measured the trap loss rate coefficient for the Ar* MOT alone and observe production of Ar+ and Ar2+ ions.

Experimental Investigation Of A Rubidium-Argon Dual Species Magneto-Optical Trap, Hauke Christian Busch

Physics Theses & Dissertations

The first simultaneous cooling and confinement of two different atomic species from opposite sides of the periodic table in a dual magneto optical trap (DMOT) has been accomplished. The alkali-metal ⁸⁵Rb and the noble gas ⁴⁰Ar* have been simultaneously confined, characterized, and interspecies interaction parameters have been measured. The DMOT confined 1.2 × 10^{6 85}Rb atoms at a density of 1 × 10¹⁰/cm³ and 1.4 × 10^{6 40}Ar* atoms with a density of 1.2 × 10¹⁰/cm³. A collisional loss rate coefficient for Rb-Ar* has been determined to …

Shock Wave Dispersion In Weakly Ionized Gas, Prasong Kessaratikoon

Physics Theses & Dissertations

Electrodeless microwave (MW) discharge in two straight, circular cylindrical resonant cavities in TE_1,1,1 and TM_0,1,2 modes were introduced to perform additional experimental studies on shock wave modification in non-equilibrium weakly ionized gases and to clarify the physical mechanisms of the shock wave modification process. The discharge was generated in 99.99% Ar at a gas pressure between 20 and 100 Torr and at a discharge power density less than 10.0 Watts/cm³. Power density used for operating the discharge was rather low in the present work, which was determined by evaluating the power loss inside the resonant cavity. …

Simultaneous Trapping Of Rubidium And Metastable Argon In A Magneto-Optical Trap, C. I. Sukenik, H. C. Busch

Physics Faculty Publications

We have simultaneously confined rubidium and metastable argon in a dual-species magneto-optical trap (MOT). Here a binary mixture of atomic species from different groups of the periodic table have been optically confined at ultracold temperatures. We describe the apparatus and characterize the individual, single species MOTs and the dual-species MOT. Both fluorescence and ion production are monitored. With both species trapped, we observe ~5106 85Rb atoms and ~2106 40Ar* atoms. Realization of the dual-species trap opens the way for detailed studies of Penning and associative ionization, photoassociative spectroscopy, and eventually for the production of bound, ultracold RbAr molecules.

A Rf Discharge Cell For Saturated Absorption Spectroscopy Of Metastable Argon, C. I. Sukenik, H. C. Busch

Physics Faculty Publications

We have produced a rf discharge in 40Ar and used saturated absorption spectroscopy to offset lock a Ti:Sapphire laser to the absorption peak of the 43P243D3 cooling transition at 811 nm. We describe the procedure for fabrication of the cell and production of the discharge.

Auger Resonance Decay Process In Ar 2p Shell Excitation And Ionization, Y. Lu, Wayne C. Stolte, J.A. R. Samson

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

The production and subsequent autoionization of the Ar⁺ (¹D₂)6d¹ satellite state that is formed either by shake-up or recapture during the Auger decay of a 2p vacancy in Ar has been studied by photoelectron spectroscopy in the energy region from 243 to 256 eV. The creation of near zero energy electrons below and immediately above the Ar 2p ionization threshold is discussed. Some ambiguous points in previous studies are clarified.

Aspects Of Postcollision Interactions (Pci) Near The Ar L-Shell, James A.R. Samson, Y. Lu, Wayne C. Stolte

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

In the present work we are interested in near-threshold photoionization experiments involving postcollision effects related to the Auger decay of a vacancy in the Ar L shell. In particular, we have measured the photoelectron energy spectrum resulting from the above postcollision interaction effects and have observed electrons produced by the process of electron capture and reemission.

Post-Collision Interactions In The Auger Decay Of The Ar L-Shell, James A.R. Samson, Wayne C. Stolte, Z. X. He, J. N. Cutler, D. Hansen

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

The photoionization cross sections for Ar⁺ through Ar⁴⁺, produced by the Auger decay of a 2p hole in argon, have been measured between 242 eV and 253 eV by the use of synchrotron radiation. The high resolution of the monochromator has allowed a detailed study of the postcollision interactions that occur in this spectral region. The concept of photoelectron recapture by Ar²⁺ to produce the Ar⁺ continuum is studied. The relative values of the quantum-mechanical calculations of the photoelectron recapture probability are shown to be in excellent agreement with the present data. The magnitude …

Argon-Photoion–Auger-Electron Coincidence Measurements Following K-Shell Excitation By Synchrotron Radiation, Jon C. Levin, C. Biedermann, N. Keller, L. Liljeby, C.-S. O, R. T. Short, Ivan A. Sellin, Dennis W. Lindle

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Research

Argon photoion spectra have been obtained for the first time in coincidence with K-LL and K-LM Auger electrons, as a function of photon energy. The simplified charge distributions which result exhibit a much more pronounced photon-energy dependence than do the more complicated noncoincident spectra. In the near-K-threshold region, Rydberg shakeoff of np levels, populated by resonant excitation of K electrons, occurs with significant probability, as do double-Auger processes and recapture of the K photoelectron through postcollision interaction.