11 - Double resonance spectroscopy

Summary

Introduction

Double resonance spectroscopy involves the simultaneous use of two spectroscopic radiation sources, often of quite different wavelengths. Figure (a) illustrates the simplest example of many possible variations. High-frequency electronic excitation (f₁) is combined with microwave or radiofrequency radiation (f₂); the objective is usually to observe and measure the lower frequency spectrum by making use of the sensitivity advantages provided by the higher frequency radiation. Detection of the fluorescence intensity from the intermediate state E₂ provides a monitor of the population of the state. The lower frequency transition f₂ changes the population of E₂, and hence changes the fluorescence intensity. Many of the experiments to be described in this chapter depend upon this simple scheme. Such experiments have been extremely valuable, particularly in the study of short-lived species such as neutral free radicals, molecular ions, or metastable excited electronic states. Their success usually depends on prior knowledge and study of the high-frequency spectrum, as we shall see. In other cases, however, the two radiation sources may be of similar wavelengths; microwave/microwave double resonance, for example, has proved to be a powerful method for confirming otherwise uncertain spectroscopic assignments.

As is often the case, the initial experiments were developed by atomic spectroscopists. Figure (b) illustrates an example from atomic physics, described by Brossel and Bitter. Mercury atoms are excited by a mercury lamp from the ¹S ground state to the ³P₁ excited state, in the presence of a small applied magnetic field.