Abstract

The np_1/2 and ng_j Rydberg series of the Ba⁺ ion have been observed, using a multistep laser-excitation scheme. A single photon excites either the np_1/2 levels from an initially populated Ba⁺ 8s_1/2 state or the ng_j levels from the Ba⁺ 5f_j states. The Ba⁺ 8s_1/2 state is populated directly through two-step laser excitation of ground-state Ba⁺ ions, and the Ba⁺ 5f_j state is a decay product of neutral-Ba 8snd autoionizing states, which are produced by an analogous two-step excitation of bound 6snd states. We observe no excitation of the np_3/2 levels, indicating a zero in the excitation cross section to these levels. Using the quantum defects of the ng series, we are able to extract values for the electric dipole and quadrupole polarizabilities of the Ba²⁺ core of 10.3(2)a₀³ and 51(10)a₀5.

© 1989 Optical Society of America

Spectroscopy of the np and nf even-parity Rydberg series in xenon by two-photon excitation

A. L’Huillier, L. A. Lompré, D. Normand, J. Morellec, M. Ferray, J. Lavancier, G. Mainfray, and C. Manus
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6(9) 1644-1647 (1989)

Rydberg states of zinc and measurement of the dipole polarizability of the Zn⁺ ion

M. Kompitsas, C. Baharis, and Z. Pan
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 11(5) 697-702 (1994)

One-photon laser spectroscopy of the np and nf Rydberg series in xenon

R. D. Knight and Liang-guo Wang
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 2(7) 1084-1087 (1985)

Hyperfine structure in the 6snh (l = 5) Rydberg series of barium

Wim Vassen, Tony v.d. Veldt, Carel Westra, Erwin Bente, and Wim Hogervorst
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 6(8) 1473-1480 (1989)

Bound, odd-parity Rydberg spectra of Sb i: 5s²5p²np and 5s²5p²nf series for J = 1/2, 3/2, and 5/2

R. Beigang and J. J. Wynne
J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 3(7) 949-958 (1986)