Ionization of xenon(nf) Rydberg atoms at a conducting surface

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorDunning, F. B.
dc.creatorDunham, Hardin R.
dc.date.accessioned2009-06-04T07:58:13Z
dc.date.available2009-06-04T07:58:13Z
dc.date.issued2005
dc.description.abstractThe resonant ionization of Xe(nf) Rydberg atoms in extreme red and blue Stark states at a conducting surface is investigated. The Xe( nf) Rydberg atoms are created by laser induced photoexcitation of xenon 6s'[1/ 2]0 metastable atoms created within a DC discharge. Following ionization the resulting Rydberg ion core is attracted to the surface by its image charge where it will be neutralized. To prevent this, an electric field is applied perpendicular to the surface. The critical field required to observe the ions provides a measure of the atom/surface separation at which resonant ionization occurred. The data show that the extreme members of a given Stark manifold ionize at similar atom/surface separations pointing to strong perturbations in the energies and structure of the atomic states induced by the presence of the surface.
dc.format.extent68 p.en_US
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS PHYS. 2005 DUNHAM
dc.identifier.citationDunham, Hardin R.. "Ionization of xenon(nf) Rydberg atoms at a conducting surface." (2005) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17771">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/17771</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/17771
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectAtomic physics
dc.titleIonization of xenon(nf) Rydberg atoms at a conducting surface
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentPhysics
thesis.degree.disciplineNatural Sciences
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
1425819.PDF
Size:
15.77 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Download
Collections
Rice University Electronic Theses and Dissertations