Optical lifetime measurements using a positive ion van de graaff accelerator.

Area of Science:

• Atomic and Molecular Physics
• Spectroscopy
• Quantum Optics

Background:

• Accurate measurement of excited state optical mean lives is crucial for understanding atomic and molecular processes.
• Existing techniques may have limitations in precision or the range of measurable lifetimes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and demonstrate a novel system for the direct observation of excited state optical mean lives.
• To establish a reliable method for measuring mean lives longer than 1 nanosecond.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a pulsed proton beam for excitation of atomic and molecular species.
• Employed the delayed coincidence counting technique for high-resolution lifetime measurements.
• Integrated a high-speed time-to-amplitude converter and an on-line digital computer for efficient data reduction.

Main Results:

• Successfully measured excited state optical mean lives exceeding 1 nanosecond.
• Presented preliminary measurements for specific levels in Helium (3(1)p, 4(3)S, 4(1)D) and vibrational bands of Nitrogen (N2).
• Demonstrated the system's capability to accurately characterize optical mean lives.

Conclusions:

• The developed system provides a robust and effective method for determining excited state optical mean lives.
• The preliminary measurements validate the system's performance and potential for broader applications in atomic and molecular physics research.