Dynamic dipole polarizability of gold and copper atoms for 532- and 1064-nm wavelengths

G. S. Sarkisov, A. Hamilton, and V. Sotnikov

Phys. Rev. A 99, 012503 – Published 7 January 2019

Abstract

The fast electrical explosion of fine metal wires in a vacuum will produce calibrated gas cylinders of metal atoms surrounded by a low-density corona. For fully vaporized wires, the integrated-phase technique, based on laser interferometry, provides the dynamic dipole polarizability of metal atoms. A fast-rising current of $\sim 1 kA / ns$ will vaporize thin 12.7-µm-diameter Au and Cu wires in a vacuum and generate a radial-expanding gas cylinder surrounded by low-density plasma corona. Employing the integrated-phase technique on fast-exploding Au and Cu wires, we find that the dynamic dipole polarizability of Au atoms is $8.3 \pm 0.8 Å^{3}$ for 532 nm and $7.0 \pm 0.7 Å^{3}$ for 1064 nm. Measurements collected from exploding Cu wire provide dynamic dipole polarizability of $10.2 \pm 1 Å^{3}$ for 532 nm and $6.5 \pm 0.7 Å^{3}$ for 1064 nm. All experimental values correspond to theoretical predictions based on quantum-mechanical calculations.