Rubidium 52P fine-structure transitions induced by collisions with potassium and caesium atoms

Abstract

A diode-laser fluorescence experiment was performed in order to study fine-structure transitions between 52P states of rubidium atoms colliding with ground-state potassium or caesium atoms. The Rb (52P32/) state was optically excited and the intensity ratio of sensitized to direct fluorescence was measured. The obtained cross sections for the excitation energy transfer Rb(2P32/) to Rb(2P12/) induced by collisions with K and Cs (T=573 K) are sigma =54 AA2+or-30% and sigma =15 AA2+or-30%, respectively. Assuming detailed balancing, the cross sections for the reverse process Rb(2P12/) to Rb(2P32/) are sigma =60 AA2+or-30%, and sigma =16.5 AA2+or-30% for K and Cs, respectively.