Analysis of Collisional Alignment & Orientation Studied by Scattering of Spin-polarized Electrons from Laser Excited Atoms

Published

January 1, 1987

Author(s)

I Hertel, Michael H. Kelley, Jabez J. McClelland

Abstract

A general framework using density matrices is developed for the analysis of atomic excitation by spin-polarized electrons. This framework is applied to the specific case of the 3S_1/2rarr} 3P_3/2 transition in Na, as studied by the time-reversed, superelastic process. The scattering is characterized in terms of physics parameters describing the collisionally excited p-state, i.e., its angular momentum (L_perp}), linear polarization (P_lin), and alignment angle (γ), with these parameters defined separately for singlet and triplet excitation. An expression for the scattering intensity is derived which is valid for arbitrary electron polarization atomic state preparation. Specific examples are discussed with a view toward complete determination o f the relevant scattering amplitudes and phases. Recent experimental results are reevaluated for comparison with theoretical calculations, and suggestions are made for future experiments.

Citation

Zeitschrift Fur Physik D-Atoms Molecules and Clusters

Volume

6

Issue

2

Pub Type

Journals

Citation

Hertel, I. , Kelley, M. and McClelland, J. (1987), Analysis of Collisional Alignment & Orientation Studied by Scattering of Spin-polarized Electrons from Laser Excited Atoms, Zeitschrift Fur Physik D-Atoms Molecules and Clusters (Accessed December 30, 2024)