Velocity preserving transfer between highly excited atomic states: black body radiation and collisions

Abstract We study the excitation redistribution from cesium 7P 1/2 or 3/2 to neighboring energy levels by black body radiation (BBR) and inter atomic collisions using pump-probe spectroscopy inside a vapor cell. At low densities we measure of initial, velocity-selected, BBR. This preserves selected velocities allowing us perform high resolution 6D → 7F transitions. transfer mechanism could also be used sub-Doppler highly-excited nG levels. observe interatomic redistributing within fine hyperfine structure. show that involves state-changing preserve initial selection velocities. These mechanisms can importance for experiments probing lying excited states in dense alkali vapor.