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Lyman-alpha, typically denoted by Ly-α, is a spectral line of hydrogen (or, more generally, of any one-electron atom) in the Lyman series. It is emitted when the atomic electron transitions from an n = 2 orbital to the ground state ( n = 1), where n is the principal quantum number .
The transitions are named sequentially by Greek letters: from n = 2 to n = 1 is called Lyman-alpha, 3 to 1 is Lyman-beta, 4 to 1 is Lyman-gamma, and so on. The series is named after its discoverer, Theodore Lyman. The greater the difference in the principal quantum numbers, the higher the energy of the electromagnetic emission.
This equation is known as the Breit–Rabi formula and is useful for systems with one valence electron in an (= /) level. [ 9 ] [ 10 ] Note that index F {\displaystyle F} in Δ E F = I ± 1 / 2 {\displaystyle \Delta E_{F=I\pm 1/2}} should be considered not as total angular momentum of the atom but as asymptotic total angular momentum .
The Bohr model was later replaced by quantum mechanics in which the electron occupies an atomic orbital rather than an orbit, but the allowed energy levels of the hydrogen atom remained the same as in the earlier theory. Spectral emission occurs when an electron transitions, or jumps, from a higher energy state to a lower energy state.
The Lyman-alpha forest was first discovered in 1970 by astronomer Roger Lynds in an observation of the quasar 4C 05.34. [1] Quasar 4C 05.34 was the farthest object observed to that date, and Lynds noted an unusually large number of absorption lines in its spectrum and suggested that most of the absorption lines were all due to the same Lyman-alpha transition. [2]
Similarly to Lyman-alpha, the K-alpha emission is composed of two spectral lines, K-alpha 1 (Kα 1) and K-alpha 2 (Kα 2). [6] The K-alpha 1 emission is slightly higher in energy (and, thus, has a lower wavelength) than the K-alpha 2 emission. For all elements, the ratio of the intensities of K-alpha 1 and K-alpha 2 is very close to 2:1. [7]