Stark interaction for excited states in alkali atoms, investigated by laser spectroscopy

The scalar polarizability constanta0 for excitedS- andD-states in rubidium and cesium was measured utilizing a two-step excitation scheme. An rf lamp and a single-mode dye laser were used to excite the atoms in a collimated atomic beam. Values ofa0 were determined for the 9–102S1/2 and 7–82D3/2 states of rubidium and for the 10–132S1/2, 9–102D3/2 and 9–112D5/2 states of cesium. Further, the isotope shift was evaluated in the 5579 Å rubidium line. A review of experimental polarizability constants for rubidium and cesium is given, and the results are compared with theoretical values