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Light-induced ejection of alkali atoms in polysiloxane coated cells

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Il Nuovo Cimento D

Summary

An intense laser-induced fluorescence of sodium and of other alkali atoms (K, Rb) at room and lower temperatures has been observed in polysiloxanecoated cells, producing a vapor density of the metal which is much higher than that corresponding to the thermal equilibrium between the vapor and the condensed phase. This enhancement is attributed to the light-induced ejection of atoms absorbed by the polysiloxane coating. The atomic density of the vapor can be manipulated by changing either the laser power or frequency. The dependence of the atomic density on these and other parameters as well as its time-dependent behavior are studied experimentally. A tentative interpretation of the phenomenon is discussed in terms of the properties of solutions of the alkali metals in several solvents.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratorio di Fisica, Scuola Normale Superiore, 56100, Pisa, Italia

    A. Gozzini, F. Mango & J. H. Xu

  2. Dipartimento di Fisica dell'Università, Pisa, Italia

    G. Alzetta & F. Maccarrone

  3. Department of Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University, 152 Davey Laboratory, 16802, University Park, PA, USA

    R. A. Bernheim

Authors
  1. A. Gozzini
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  2. F. Mango
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  3. J. H. Xu
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  4. G. Alzetta
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  5. F. Maccarrone
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  6. R. A. Bernheim
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Gozzini, A., Mango, F., Xu, J.H. et al. Light-induced ejection of alkali atoms in polysiloxane coated cells. Il Nuovo Cimento D 15, 709–722 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482437

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02482437

PACS 32.80

PACS 32.80.Fb

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