Eksitaatiokäyrät

Eksitaatiokäyrät, or excitation curves, are graphical representations used in physics and chemistry to illustrate the relationship between the energy of an incoming particle or photon and the probability of a target atom or molecule undergoing excitation. This excitation involves an electron moving from a lower energy state to a higher one.

These curves typically plot the excitation cross-section on the y-axis against the incident energy on the x-axis. The cross-section is a measure of the probability of a specific interaction occurring. A peak in the excitation curve indicates that the incident energy is particularly effective in causing excitation. Often, these peaks correspond to resonant states of the atom or molecule.

Eksitaatiokäyrät are crucial for understanding various physical phenomena, including atomic collisions, spectroscopy, and radiation interactions. For instance, in atomic physics, they help determine the energy levels of atoms by observing which incident energies lead to the emission of characteristic photons. In astrophysics, they are used to interpret the light spectra observed from stars and nebulae, providing insights into their chemical composition and physical conditions.

The shape and position of the peaks in an eksitaatiokäyrä are unique to each atom or molecule, making them a diagnostic tool. Analyzing these curves allows scientists to identify specific elements and molecules and to study their electronic structures and excited states. The theoretical understanding of these curves often relies on quantum mechanics.