THE 8²S_1/2→6²D EXCITATION TRANSFER OF RUBIDIUM ATOMS INDUCED BY COLLISIONS WITH GROUND-STATE RUBIDIUM AND HYDROGEN MOLECULES

The processes of excitation transfer from the 8²S_1/2 state to the 6²D state of rubidium in Rb(8²S_1/2)-Rb(5²S_1/2) and Rb(8²S_1/2)-H₂ collisions have been studied experimentally. During irradiating the Rb vapor, mixed with H₂, by two light beams for selective stepwise excitation, the Rb 8²S_1/2→5²P_3/2 direct fluorescence and the Rb 6²D_3/2→5²P_1/2 sensitized fluorescence have been measured as a function of H₂ gas pressure. The measurements yielded the cross-sections \sigma(8²S_1/2→6²D) and \sigma^*(8²S_1/2→6²D) of Rb 8²S_1/2→6²D excitation tranfer induced by collisions with 5²S_1/2 atom and H₂ molecules respectively. The results are discussed in detail.