Calcium's line is the transition

PHYSICS · Multi-part · Fermi University Physics · Atomic, Molecular & Optical Physics · Many-electron atoms and the periodic table · Radiative transitions, external fields and collisions

Deriving the Spectrum, Ch Radiative transitions and lifetimes

Problem

Calcium's 657.3 nm657.3\,\mathrm{nm} line is the transition 4s4p 3P1→4s2 1S04s4p\ {}^3P_1 \to 4s^2\ {}^1S_0, used as an optical-clock reference because of its narrow width. The nearby 422.7 nm422.7\,\mathrm{nm} line is the ordinary electric-dipole transition 4s4p 1P1→4s2 1S04s4p\ {}^1P_1 \to 4s^2\ {}^1S_0. ((a)) Check the 657.3 nm657.3\,\mathrm{nm} line against each electric-dipole selection rule in turn (parity, one-electron Δl\Delta l, ΔJ\Delta J, ΔS\Delta S, ΔL\Delta L), stating for each whether it is obeyed, and whether the rule is exact, valid only within a single configuration, or valid only in LS coupling. ((b)) Predict whether the line can be observed at all as an electric-dipole transition, and if so, by what mechanism it acquires its (weak) strength.

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