Cusp kernels for velocity-changing collisions

We introduce an analytical kernel, the "cusp" kernel, to model the effects of velocity-changing collisions on optically pumped atoms in low-pressure buffer gases. Like the widely used Keilson-Storer kernel [J. Keilson and J. E. Storer, Q. Appl. Math. 10, 243 (1952)], cusp kernels are chara...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physical review letters 2012-05, Vol.108 (18), p.183202-183202
Main Authors: McGuyer, B H, Marsland, 3rd, R, Olsen, B A, Happer, W
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:We introduce an analytical kernel, the "cusp" kernel, to model the effects of velocity-changing collisions on optically pumped atoms in low-pressure buffer gases. Like the widely used Keilson-Storer kernel [J. Keilson and J. E. Storer, Q. Appl. Math. 10, 243 (1952)], cusp kernels are characterized by a single parameter and preserve a Maxwellian velocity distribution. Cusp kernels and their superpositions are more useful than Keilson-Storer kernels, because they are more similar to real kernels inferred from measurements or theory and are easier to invert to find steady-state velocity distributions.
ISSN:1079-7114
DOI:10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.183202