Polarization-dependent spectra in the photoassociative ionization of cold atoms in a bright sodium beam

Jaime Ramirez-Serrano; William DeGraffenreid; John Weiner

doi:10.1103/PhysRevA.65.052719

Polarization-dependent spectra in the photoassociative ionization of cold atoms in a bright sodium beam

Jaime Ramirez-Serrano, William DeGraffenreid, and John Weiner

Phys. Rev. A 65, 052719 – Published 8 May 2002

Abstract

We report measurements of cold photoassociative ionization (PAI) spectra obtained from collisions within a slow, bright Na atomic beam. A high-brightness atom flux, obtained by optical cooling and focusing of the atom beam, permits a high degree of alignment and orientation of binary collisions with respect to the laboratory atom-beam axis. The results reveal features of PAI spectra not accessible in conventional magneto-optical trap studies. We take advantage of this high degree of alignment to selectively excite autoionizing doubly excited states of specific symmetry.

Received 29 October 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.65.052719

Authors & Affiliations

Jaime Ramirez-Serrano^*, William DeGraffenreid^†, and John Weiner^‡

Laboratory of Atomic, Molecular, and Optical Science and Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742

^*Present address: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Quantum Sciences Group, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, MS 298-100, Pasadena, CA 91104.
^†Present address: Atomic Physics Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-8421.
^‡Present address: Université Paul Sabatier, IRSAMC-LCAR, 118 route de Narbonne, 31062 Toulouse, France.

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Vol. 65, Iss. 5 — May 2002

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