Session C5: Rydberg Atoms and Cold Plasmas
2:00 PM–4:00 PM, Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Room: Arboretum I-III
Chair: Thomas Gallagher, University of Virginia
Abstract ID: BAPS.2010.DAMOP.C5.7
Abstract: C5.00007 : Spectroscopy of high-L Rydberg levels of Fr-like U and Th Ions
3:12 PM–3:24 PM
Preview Abstract
MathJax On | Off 
Abstract 
Authors:
Mark E. Hanni
(Colorado State University)
Stephen R. Lundeen
(Colorado State University)
Charles W. Fehrenbach
(Kansas State University)
High-L Rydberg levels of Fr-like U$^{5+}$ and Th$^{3+}$ have been studied using the Resonant Excitation Stark Ionization Spectroscopy (RESIS) technique. Beams of Rn-like U$^{6+}$ and Th$^{4+}$, obtained from a 14 GHz permanent magnet ECR source at Kansas State University, capture a single electron from a dense Rb Rydberg target, becoming Fr-like ions in very highly excited states, n $\sim $ 50. These Rydberg states are selectively excited to much higher levels, using a Doppler-tuned CO$_{2}$ laser, partially resolving the fine structure of the lower Rydberg level. Analysis of the spectrum with the long-range polarization model can be used to determine the polarizability of the Rn-like ion cores. The technique is analogous to previous studies of Kr$^{5+}$ Rydberg levels [1], but is more challenging because of the presence of background due to auto-ionizing Rydberg levels bound to metastable Rn-like ions.\\[4pt] [1] S.R. Lundeen and C.W. Fehrenbach, Phys. Rev. A 75, 032523(2007)
To cite this abstract, use the following reference: http://meetings.aps.org/link/BAPS.2010.DAMOP.C5.7