Laser and Particle Beams

Table of Contents - 1995 - Volume 13, Issue 02  

Research Article

Polarization of atomic radiative transitions in crossed electric and magnetic fields

V.L. Jacobsa1 and A.B. Filuka2

a1 Condensed Matter and Radiation Sciences Division, Code 6693, Naval Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375–5345

a2 Target and Analysis Theory Department, Organization 1271, MS 1187, Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, Albuquerque, NM 87185–1187

Abstract

A density-matrix approach is under development for the investigation of the angular distribution and polarization of atomic radiative emissions in crossed quasi-static electric and magnetic fields. Particular interest has centered on applications to spectroscopic observations in the intense fields of the high-power light-ion inertial fusion device PBFA II at Sandia National Laboratories, and to magnetic field measurements in tokamak plasmas. Noteworthy features of our general density-matrix analysis include allowances for the mixing of both the bound and continuum field-free atomic eigenstates in an arbitrary arrangement of electric and magnetic fields, and for the possible coherent excitation of the nearly degenerate field-dependent atomic substates that produce the overlapping Stark-Zeeman components. The influence of directed collisional excitation may also be taken into account. From the angular-momentum selection rules, specific results have been obtained for observation of polarized radiative emissions in the direction of the magnetic field.

(Received May 23 1994)

(Accepted November 23 1994)

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