Collapse of the f-symmetric final-state wavefunction in the 3d excitation spectra of atomic Xe, Cs and Ba

Abstract

The absorption spectra of atomic Xe, Cs and Ba have been determined at the 3d threshold. The broad 3d to epsilon f absorption bands of Xe change into sharp 3d to 4f absorption lines for atomic Ba, clearly manifesting the collapse of the f-symmetric final-state wavefunction for 3d excited Ba.