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Publication Date

2023-1

First Advisor

Will Williams

Document Type

Honors Project

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Physics

Keywords

spectroscopy, quantum electrodynamics (QED), atomic physics, nitrogen, oxygen, europium

Abstract

Quantum field theory (QFT) is a mathematical model that combines classical field theory, quantum mechanics, and special relativity. Quantum electrodynamics (QED), a type of quantum field theory, is one of the most rigorously tested fundamental theories of nature. QED describes how light and matter interact, and it is the first theory that completely combines quantum mechanics and special relativity. Despite its many successes, QFT is not a complete theory. This motivates the work behind this thesis. This thesis describes spectroscopic measurements that, when combined with future theoretical calculations and more experimental results, will serve as a test of the validity of QED for multielectron systems. In particular, high precision spectroscopic measurements on the 2p3(4S◦)3p(5P)1,2,3 − 2p3(4S◦)3d(5D◦)0,1,2,3,4 transitions in atomic oxygen-16 are presented. For the oxygen transitions, the transition frequencies have been experimentally measured to be: Transition Frequency (MHz) 2p3(4S◦)3p 5P1 → 2p3(4S◦)3d 5D◦ 0 323 633 229.7(18) 2p3(4S◦)3p 5P1 → 2p3(4S◦)3d 5D◦ 1 323 631 445.1(12) 2p3(4S◦)3p 5P1 → 2p3(4S◦)3d 5D◦ 2 323 628 321.35(33) 2p3(4S◦)3p 5P2 → 2p3(4S◦)3d 5D◦ 1 323 570 859.32(42) 2p3(4S◦)3p 5P2 → 2p3(4S◦)3d 5D◦ 2 323 567 734.39(39) 2p3(4S◦)3p 5P2 → 2p3(4S◦)3d 5D◦ 3 323 564 162.37(37) 2p3(4S◦)3p 5P3 → 2p3(4S◦)3d 5D◦ 2 323 457 614.91(97) 2p3(4S◦)3p 5P3 → 2p3(4S◦)3d 5D◦ 3 323 454 042.29(43) 2p3(4S◦)3p 5P3 → 2p3(4S◦)3d 5D◦ 4 323 451 393.36(33) The above numbers represent an improvement of up to a factor 2000 over previous measurements. In addition, an unidentified transition with three features observed with frequency near the 2s22p2(3P)3s 2P3/2 → 2s22p2(3P)3p 2D◦ 5/2 transition in atomic nitrogen-14 was fully studied; this line is still not identified. Finally, spectrum for the 4f76s2 8S◦ 7/2 → 4f7(8S◦)6s6p(1P◦) 8P5/2,7/2,9/2 transitions in neutral europium-151 and europium-153 were taken. These measurements were completed to assist current experimental studies of ultracold europium atoms and do not serve as a test of QED. For the transition to the J=9/2 excited state, the transition frequency was found to be 652,389,757.16(34) MHz and 652,386,593.2(5) MHz, respectively. The hyperfine coefficients were found to be A(151)=-228.84(2)MHz, B(151)=226.9(5)MHz and A(153)=-101.87(6)MHz, B(153)=575.4(1.5)MHz, which all agree with previously published results except for A(153), which shows a small discrepancy. The isotope shift is found to be 3163.8(6) MHz, which also has a discrepancy with previously published results. Analysis of the other two transitions is ongoing.

Rights

©2023 Chitsoe Maruko. Access limited to the Smith College community and other researchers while on campus. Smith College community members also may access from off-campus using a Smith College log-in. Other off-campus researchers may request a copy through Interlibrary Loan for personal use.

Language

English

Comments

x, 129 pages: color illustrations, charts. Includes bibliographical references (pages 127-129).

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