By: Casey Chiang and Gray Patterson

March 26, 2002

Abstract:   In the following experiments we determined the quantum defect for s and d level transitions in Cesium, and explored the relationship between laser and ion intensity.  Laser spectroscopy of Cesium with a Nd/Yag Laser and a DCM dye laser shows the absorption spectrum of Cesium.  The use of two photons enabled us to identify higher energy transitions that would not be possible through a single photon absorption.  Peaks in the spectrum have been used to identify transitions from the ground state to higher S and D levels.    Identification of these levels enable us to determine the quantum defect for the S and D levels of Cesium.  The values for the quantum defects were found to be 3.9946 for the S level, and 2.404 for the D level.  Additionally, we used neutral density filters in order to establish a relationship between laser and ion intensity.  This relationship was very similar to a squared dependence.