Abstract
An experiment is described which enables the student to study a simple harmonic oscillator as it changes from classical behavior to that which must be described quantum mechanically. The oscillator is the F center in KCl. A configuration coordinate diagram is used to show that the width of the center's optical absorption is proportional to the amplitude of oscillation of the ions surrounding the center. The width of the optical absorption is measured from 300 to 20°K, effectively giving the amplitude of oscillation over this temperature range. Below 50°K the amplitude does not change, indicating the zero-point oscillation. The results can be described by an expression for the amplitude as a function of temperature which is deduced from the correspondence principle.
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