The origin of resonance ionisation spectroscopy: Introduction. Excitation and ionisation of gases with charged particles, W values. The Hornbeck-Molnar reactions. Jesse effects. Energy pathways research. Energy pathways in helium. Resonance ionisation spectroscopy. References. RIS studies on He(21S): Introduction. Gaseous electronics. Pulsed ionisation measurements. Concenpt of the RIS experiment on He(21S). Results of the RIS experiment on He(21S) involving photo-ionisation. References. One-atom detection: RIS of atoms in their ground states. Senisitive ionisation measurements. A demonstration of one-atom detection. One-atom detection in time coincidence with nucelar decay. References. The interaction of laser light with atoms: Introduction. Review of electromagnetic fields. Interaction of a laser field with isolated atoms. The two-state model. Excitation involving three bound states. A more general adiabatic method. Multiphoton excitation. References. Theory of resonance ionisation spectroscopy: Introduction. Thermodynamic arguments concerning the absorption and emission of radiation by an atomic vapour. Density matrix formulation of atomic response. Finite band width effects in a two-state model. The incorporation of laser ionisation into the equations of motion. Near-resonant two-photon ionisation. Methods of RIS using commercial lasers. Effective volumes of ionisation. References. Chemical physics: Introduction. Photodissociation of CsI. Diffusion of caesium atoms in argon gas. Chemical reaction of caesium atoms with O2 in the presence of an argon butter gas. Precision measurements of the diffusion of reactice atoms. Photodissociation of LiI. Chemical reactions of lithium atoms with O2. Diffusion of lithium atoms in argon gas. Concluding remarks. References. Statistical mechanics: Introduction. Density fluctuations in atomic populations. Fluctuations ionisation by swift particles: the Fano factor. Fluctuations in atomic and molecular processes. The ergodic hypothesis: an Einstein Gedanken experiment. An experimental test of the ergodic hypothesis. Further comments on the ergodic hypothesis. References. Elemental analyses of solids and related applications of RIS: Introduction. Laser ablation methods LARIS. RIMS using pulsed lasers. RIMS using continuous wave lasers. Atomisation by ion sputtering. Elemental analysis of solids using SIRIS. Comparison of RIS with accelerator mass spectroscopy (AMS). On-line RIMS in nuclear physics. Some additional applications of RIS. References. Nonlinear optics: applications of resonance ionisation spectroscopy: Introduction. Introduction to non-linear processes. An example of non-linear process with an unfocused laser beam: third harmonic generation near three-photon resonances in xenon. Third harmonic generation with focused laser beams. Four-wave sum and difference mixing in Xe and Kr. Two photon excitation and the stimulated Raman process. References. Maxwell's demon and other noble concepts: Concept of the Maxwell demon. The atom buncher. Mass spectrometer. Atom bank. Atom counter. A demonstration using 81Kr atoms. A Maxwell demon using time-of-flight principles. RISTRON. Other methods of atom counting. Isitopic enrichment. Concluding remarks. References. Cosmology and particle physics: Introduction. Connection of cosmology with particle physics. Time evolution of the universe. Standard cosmology and its problems. Inflationary cosmology and magnetic monopoles. Searches for magnetic monopoles. Concept of monpole detector using RIS. References. Search for other primordial particles: Introduction. Quark composition of matter and quark confinement. Other predictions of particle physics theories. Searches for fractional charge. RIS searches for fractional charge. Previous searches for stable, heavy, elementary particles. RIS search for heavy elementary particles. References. Stellar evolution and the solar neutrino mystery: Introduction. Stellar evolution and stellar strucutre. Energy production in the sun. Solar models and neutrino production. The 37Cl(v,e-)37 Ar solar neutrino experiment. The 81Br(v,e-)81 Kr solar neutrino experiment. References. Earth and planetary sciences: Introduction. Origin of meteorites and atmospheric xenon. Age of the solar ststem. Principles of environment dating. Age of ground-water and polar ice. Ocean water circulation. Concluding remarks. References. Index.
blurb
This book provides a comprehensive treatment of the underlying principles and the practical applications and techniques of resonance ionisation spectroscopy (RIS). The field of RIS was originated and developed by a group at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the USA - a group that was led by the authors. Thus, the book includes a description of the original work on the technique from those directly involved. The main unifying theme is the conception, perfection and application of a laser technique for the selective and sensitive detection of individual atoms. The physical phenomena involved in RIS are discussed, together with the technique's capabilities as an analytical tool with single-atom sensitivity. Detailed information on the photophysics involved in selective and sensitive ionisation of nearly all elements in the Periodic Table is given. The book includes an in-depth description of laser schemes required for practical utilisation of RIS, with emphasis on both broad band width and narrow band width pulsed lasers. The application of RIS to the detection of noble gases such as 81Kr for ice-cap dating and solar neutrino detection is discussed. Applications to the analysis of solids include uses in such fields as impurity detection in semiconductors, medical research, exploration, and particle physics. The book will appeal to postgraduate and professional-level research scientists such as physicists, chemists, and earth scientists.
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