Spectra of the D-Lines of Alkali Vapors
Spectra of the D-Lines of Alkali Vapors
This Demonstration represents the spectra of alkali atoms, that is, the frequency dependence of the optical absorption coefficient and the transmission of a vapor column (length ). Spectra are shown for light tuned near the () and () transitions for the most abundant alkali isotopes. The calculation takes the hyperfine structure into account and assumes a pure Doppler broadening of the lines. You can vary the column length as well as the atomic density, which is controlled via the temperature-dependent saturated vapor pressure. The level scheme on the right shows the involved (allowed) individual hyperfine transitions that contribute to the spectrum.
κ(ν)
T(ν)=
-κ(ν)L
e
L
D
1
nS
1/2
nP
1/2
D
2
nS
1/2
nP
3/2
L