Modifications of the Rb Emission Spectrum due to Atomic Interactions

Abstract

Emission spectra of Rb-rare gas mixtures (Rb–He, Rb–Ne, Rb–A, Rb–Kr, and Rb–Xe) were investigated in search of diffuse bands recently observed in the absorption spectra of Cs and Rb in the presence of foreign gases. In addition to the bands accompanying principal series lines observed in absorption, a number of new bands (interaction satellites) were found on the long wavelength side of the Rb lines belonging to the sharp and the diffuse series. The bands accompanying sharp series lines are very narrow and intense and have the appearance of somewhat broadened spectral lines. The bands at diffuse series lines are less intense but much wider, and are separated from the atomic lines considerably more than the bands at the sharp series lines. The bands on the short wavelength side of the atomic lines were found only at the principal series lines. Extensive continua were observed on the long wavelength side of the resonance lines and the second doublet of the principal series. At the resonance lines these continua show fluctuations of intensity differing for the various mixtures and cover distances of several hundred wave numbers. The red bands, the violet bands, and the continua may appear simultaneously and do not require different operating conditions for their observation.