%\chapter*{Atomic Spectroscopy of the Hydrogen Atom} %\addcontentsline{toc}{chapter}{Hydrogen Spectrum} \documentclass{article} \usepackage{tabularx,amsmath,boxedminipage,epsfig} \oddsidemargin 0.0in \evensidemargin 0.0in \textwidth 6.5in \headheight 0.0in \topmargin 0.0in \textheight=9.0in \begin{document} \title{Atomic Spectroscopy of Hydrogen Atoms} \date {} \maketitle \noindent \textbf{Experiment objectives}: test and calibrate a diffraction grating-based spectrometer and measure the energy spectrum of atomic hydrogen. \subsection*{History} The observation of discrete lines in the emission spectra of atomic gases gives insight into the quantum nature of atoms. Classical electrodynamics cannot explain the existence of these discrete lines, whose energy (or wavelengths) are given by characteristic values for specific atoms. These emission lines are so fundamental that they are used to identify atomic elements in objects, such as in identifying the constituents of stars in our universe. When Niels Bohr postulated that electrons can exist only in orbits of discrete energies, the explanation for the discrete atomic lines became clear. In this laboratory you will measure the wavelengths of the discrete emission lines from hydrogen gas, which will give you a measurement of the energy levels in the hydrogen atom. \section*{Theory} The hydrogen atom is composed of a proton nucleus and a single electron in a bound state orbit. Bohr's groundbreaking hypothesis, that the electron's orbital angular momentum is quantized, leads directly to the quantization of the atom's energy, i.e., that electrons in atomic systems exist only in discrete energy levels. The energies specified for a Bohr atom of atomic number $Z$ in which the nucleus is fixed at the origin (let the nuclear mass $\rightarrow \infty$) are given by the expression: \begin{equation}\label{Hlevels_inf} E_n=- \frac{2\pi^2m_ee^4Z^2}{(4\pi\epsilon_0)^2h^2n^2} = -hcZ^2R_{\infty}\frac{1}{n^2} \end{equation} % where $n$ is the label for the {\bf principal quantum number} and $R_{\infty}=\frac{2\pi m_ee^4}{(4\pi\epsilon_0)^2ch^3}$ is called the {\bf Rydberg wave number} (here $m_e$ is the electron mass). Numerically, $R_{\infty} = 1.0974 \times 10^5 cm^{-1}$ and $hcR_{\infty} = 13.605 eV$. An electron can change its state only by making a transition ("jump") from an ``initial'' excited state of energy $E_1$ to a ``final'' state of lower energy $E_2$ by emitting a photon of energy $h\nu = E_1 - E_2$ that carries away the excess energy. Thus frequencies of spectral emission lines are proportional to the difference between two allowed discrete energies for an atomic configuration. Since $h\nu = hc/\lambda$, we can write for this case: \begin{equation} \label{Hlines_inf} \frac{1}{\lambda}=\frac{2\pi^2m_ee^4Z^2}{(4\pi\epsilon_0)^2ch^3} \left[\frac{1}{n_2^2}-\frac{1}{n_1^2}\right]= R_{\infty}Z^2\left[\frac{1}{n_2^2}-\frac{1}{n_1^2}\right] \end{equation} Based on this description it is clear that by measuring the frequencies (or wavelengths) of photons emitted by an excited atomic system, we can glean important information about allowed electron energies in atoms. To make more accurate calculation of the Hydrogen spectrum, we need to take into account that a hydrogen nucleus has a large, but finite mass, M=AMp (mass number A=1 and Mp = mass of proton)\footnote{This might give you the notion that the mass of any nucleus of mass number $A$ is equal to $AM_p$. This is not very accurate, but it is a good first order approximation.} such that the electron and the nucleus orbit a common center of mass. For this two-mass system the reduced mass is given by $\mu=m_e/(1+m_e/AM_p)$. We can take this into account by modifying the above expression (\ref{Hlines_inf}) for 1/$\lambda$ as follows: \begin{equation}\label{Hlines_arb} \frac{1}{\lambda_A}=R_AZ^2\left[\frac{1}{n_2^2}-\frac{1}{n_1^2}\right] \mbox{ where } R_A=\frac{R_{\infty}}{1+\frac{m_e}{AM_p}} \end{equation} In particular, for the hydrogen case of ($Z=1$; $M=M_p$) we have: \begin{equation}\label{Hlines_H} \frac{1}{\lambda_H}=R_H\left[\frac{1}{n_2^2}-\frac{1}{n_1^2}\right] \end{equation} Notice that the value of the Rydberg constant will change slightly for different elements. However, these corrections are small since nucleus is typically several orders of magnitude heavier then the electron. Fig. \ref{spec} shows a large number of observed transitions between Bohr energy levels in hydrogen, which are grouped into series. Emitted photon frequencies (wavelengths) span the spectrum from the UV (UltraViolet) to the IR (InfraRed). Given our lack of UV or IR spectrometers, we will focus upon the optical spectral lines that are confined to the Balmer series (visible). These are characterized by a common final state of $n_2$ = 2. The probability that an electron will make a particular $n_1\rightarrow n_2$ transition in the Balmer series can differ considerably, depending on the likelihood that the initial $n_1$ level is populated from above in the deexcitation process. This results in our being able to observe and measure only the following four lines: $6 \rightarrow 2$, $5 \rightarrow 2$, $4 \rightarrow 2$, and $3 \rightarrow 2$. \begin{figure} \includegraphics[width=0.7\linewidth]{spec.eps} \caption{\label{spec}Spectrum of Hydrogen. The numbers on the left show the energies of the hydrogen levels with different principle quantum numbers $n$ in $eV$. The wavelength of emitted photon in ${\AA}$ are shown next to each electron transition. } \end{figure} In this lab, the light from the hydrogen gas is broken up into its spectral components by a diffraction grating. You will measure the angle at which each line occurs on the left ($\theta_L$) and ($\theta_R$) right sides for as many diffraction orders $m$ as possible, and use Eq.(\ref{mlambda}) to calculate $\lambda$, using the following expression, derived in the Appendix. \begin{equation}\label{mlambda} m\lambda = \frac{h}{2}\left(\sin\theta_L+\sin\theta_R\right) \end{equation} Then the same expression will be used to check/calibrate the groove spacing $h$ by making similar measurements for a sodium spectral lines with known wavelengths. We will approach the data in this experiment both with an eye to confirming Bohr's theory and from Balmer's early perspective of someone trying to establish an integer power series linking the wavelength of these four lines. \section*{Spectrometer Alignment Procedure} Fig. \ref{expspec} gives a top view of the Gaertner-Peck optical spectrometer used in this lab. \begin{figure} \includegraphics[height=4in]{expspec.eps} \caption{\label{expspec}Gaertner-Peck Spectrometer} \end{figure} \subsubsection*{Telescope Conditions:} Start by adjusting the telescope eyepiece in or out to bring the crosshairs into sharp focus. Next aim the telescope out the window to view a distant object such as leaves in a tree. If the distant object is not in focus or if there is parallax motion between the crosshairs and the object, pop off the side snap-in button to give access to a set screw. Loosen this screw and move the ocular tube in or out to bring the distant object into sharp focus. This should result in the elimination of parallax. Tighten the set screw to lock in this focussed condition. \subsubsection*{Collimator Conditions:} Swing the telescope to view the collimator which is accepting light from the hydrogen discharge tube through a vertical slit of variable width. The slit opening should be set to about 5-10 times the crosshair width to permit sufficient light to see the faint violet line and to be able to see the crosshairs. If the bright column of light is not in sharp focus, you should remove a side snap-in button allowing the tube holding the slit to move relative to the collimator objective lens. Adjust this tube for sharp focus and for elimination of parallax between the slit column and the crosshairs. Finally, tighten the set screw. \subsubsection*{ Diffraction Grating Conditions:} \textbf{Appendix in this handout describes the operation of a diffraction grating!} Mount a diffraction grating which nominally has 600 lines per mm in a grating baseclamp. %Put a piece of % doublesided scotch tape on the top surface of the table plate. Fix the grating baseclamp to the table such that the grating's vertical axis will be aligned with the telescope pivot axis. Since the table plate can be rotated, orient the normal of the grating surface to be aligned with the collimator axis. Use the AUTOCOLLIMATION procedure to achieve a fairly accurate alignment of the grating surface. This will determine how to adjust the three leveling screws H1, H2, and H3 and the rotation angle set screw for the grating table. \textbf{AUTOCOLLIMATION} is a sensitive way to align an optical element. First, mount a ``cross slit'' across the objective lens of the collimator, and direct a strong light source into the input end of the collimator. Some of the light exiting through the cross slit will reflect from the grating and return to the cross slit. The grating can then be manipulated till this reflected light retraces its path through the cross slit opening. With this the grating surface is normal to the collimator light. Then, with the hydrogen tube ON and in place at the collimator slit, swing the rotating telescope slowly through 90 degrees both on the Left \& Right sides of the forward direction. You should observe diffraction maxima for most spectral wavelength, $\lambda$, in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd order. If these lines seem to climb uphill or drop downhill the grating will have to be rotated in its baseclamp to bring them all to the same elevation. \section*{Data acquisition and analysis} Swing the rotating telescope slowly and determine which spectral lines from Balmer series you observe. \emph{Lines to be measured:} \begin{itemize} \item \emph{Zero order} (m=0): All spectral lines merge. \item \emph{First order} (m=1): Violet, Blue, Green, \& Red on both Left \& Right sides. \item \emph{Second order} (m=2): Violet, Blue, Green, \& Red on both Left \& Right sides. \item \emph{Third order} (m=3): Blue, \& Green. \end{itemize} You might not see the Violet line due to its low intensity. Red will not be seen in 3rd order. Read the angle at which each line occurs, measured with the crosshairs centered on the line as accurately as possible. Each lab partner should record the positions of the spectral lines at least once. Use the bottom scale to get the rough angle reading in degrees, and then use the upper scale for more accurate reading in minutes. The width of lines is controlled by the Collimator Slit adjustment screw. If set too wide open, then it is hard to judge the center accurately; if too narrow, then not enough light is available to see the crosshairs. For Violet the intensity is noticeably less than for the other three lines. Therefore a little assistance is required in order to locate the crosshairs at this line. We suggest that a low intensity flashlight be aimed toward the Telescope input, and switched ON and OFF repeatedly to reveal the location of the vertical crosshair relative to the faint Violet line. \subsubsection*{ Calibration of Diffraction Grating:} Replace the hydrogen tube with a sodium (Na) lamp and take readings for the following two lines from sodium: $568.27$~nm (green) and $589.90$~nm (yellow). Extract from these readings the best average value for $h$ the groove spacing in the diffraction grating. Compare to the statement that the grating has 600 lines per mm. Try using your measured value for $h$ versus the stated value $600$ lines per mm in the diffraction formula when obtaining the measured wavelengths of hydrogen. Determine which one provide more accurate results, and discuss the conclusion. \subsubsection*{ Data analysis} \textbf{Numerical approach}: Calculate the wavelength $\lambda$ for each line observed. For lines observed in more than one order, obtain the mean value $\lambda_ave$ and the standard error of the mean $\Delta \lambda$. Compare to the accepted values which you should calculate using the Bohr theory. \textbf{Graphical approach}: Make a plot of $1/\lambda$ vs $1/n_1^2$ where $n_1$ = the principal quantum number of the electron's initial state. Put all $\lambda$ values you measure above on this plot. Should this data form a straight line? If so, determine both slope and intercept and compare to the expected values for each. The slope should be the Ryberg constant for hydrogen, $R_H$. The intercept is $R_H/(n_2)^2$. From this, determine the value for the principal quantum number $n_2$. Compare to the accepted value in the Balmer series. \textbf{Example data table for writing the results of the measurements}: \noindent \begin{tabular}{|p{1.in}|p{1.in}|p{1.in}|p{1.in}|} \hline Line &$\theta_L$&$\theta_R$&Calculated $\lambda$ \\ \hline m=1 Violet&&&\\ \hline m=1 Blue&&&\\ \hline m=1 Green&&&\\ \hline m=1 Red&&&\\ \hline m=2 Violet&&&\\ \hline \dots&&&\\ \hline m=3 Blue&&&\\ \hline \dots&&&\\\hline \end{tabular} \section*{Appendix: Operation of a diffraction grating-based optical spectrometer} %\subsection*{Fraunhofer Diffraction at a Single Slit} %Let's consider a plane electromagnetic wave incident on a vertical slit of %width $D$ as shown in Fig. \ref{frn}. \emph{Fraunhofer} diffraction is %calculated in the far-field limit, i.e. the screen is assume to be far away %from the slit; in this case the light beams passed through different parts of %the slit are nearly parallel, and one needs a lens to bring them together and %see interference. %\begin{figure}[h] %\includegraphics[width=0.7\linewidth]{frnhfr.eps} %\caption{\label{frn}Single Slit Fraunhofer Diffraction} %\end{figure} %To calculate the total intensity on the screen we need to sum the contributions %from different parts of the slit, taking into account phase difference acquired %by light waves that traveled different distance to the lens. If this phase %difference is large enough we will see an interference pattern. Let's break the %total hight of the slit by very large number of point-like radiators with %length $dx$, and we denote $x$ the hight of each radiator above the center of %the slit (see Fig.~\ref{frn}). If we assume that the original incident wave is %the real part of $E(z,t)=E_0e^{ikz-i2\pi\nu t}$, where $k=2\pi/\lambda$ is the %wave number. Then the amplitude of each point radiator on a slit is %$dE(z,t)=E_0e^{ikz-i2\pi\nu t}dx$. If the beam originates at a hight $x$ above %the center of the slit then the beam must travel an extra distance $x\sin %\theta$ to reach the plane of the lens. Then we may write a contributions at %$P$ from a point radiator $dx$ as the real part of: %\begin{equation} %dE_P(z,t,x)=E_0e^{ikz-i2\pi\nu t}e^{ikx\sin\theta}dx. %\end{equation} %To find the overall amplitude one sums along the slit we need to add up the %contributions from all point sources: %\begin{equation} %E_P=\int_{-D/2}^{D/2}dE(z,t)=E_0e^{ikz-i2\pi\nu %t}\int_{-D/2}^{D/2}e^{ikx\sin\theta}dx = A_P e^{ikz-i2\pi\nu t}. %\end{equation} %Here $A_P$ is the overall amplitude of the electromagnetic field at the point %$P$. After evaluating the integral we find that %\begin{equation} %A_P=\frac{1}{ik\sin\theta}\cdot %\left(e^{ik\frac{D}{2}\sin\theta}-e^{-ik\frac{D}{2}\sin\theta}\right) %\end{equation} %After taking real part and choosing appropriate overall constant multiplying %factors the amplitude of the electromagnetic field at the point $P$ is: %\begin{equation} %A=\frac{\sin (\frac{\pi D}{\lambda}\sin\theta)}{\frac{\pi %D}{\lambda}\sin\theta} %\end{equation} %The intensity is proportional to the square of the amplitude and thus %\begin{equation} %I_P=\frac{(\sin (\frac{\pi D}{\lambda}\sin\theta))^2}{(\frac{\pi %D}{\lambda}\sin\theta)^2} %\end{equation} %The minima of the intensity occur at the zeros of the argument of the sin. The %maxima are near, but not exactly equal to the solution of: %\begin{equation} % (\frac{\pi D}{\lambda}\sin\theta)=(m+\frac{1}{2})\pi \end{equation} %for integer $m$. % %The overall pattern looks like that shown in Fig. \ref{sinxox}. %\begin{figure} %\includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{sinxox.eps} %\caption{\label{sinxox}Intensity Pattern for Fraunhofer Diffraction} %\end{figure} %\subsection*{The Diffraction Grating} A diffraction grating is a common optical element, which consists of a pattern with many equidistant slits or grooves. Interference of multiple beams passing through the slits (or reflecting off the grooves) produces sharp intensity maxima in the output intensity distribution, which can be used to separate different spectral components on the incoming light. In this sense the name ``diffraction grating'' is somewhat misleading, since we are used to talk about diffraction with regard to the modification of light intensity distribution to finite size of a single aperture. \begin{figure}[h] \includegraphics[width=\linewidth]{grating.eps} \caption{\label{grating}Intensity Pattern for Fraunhofer Diffraction} \end{figure} To describe the properties of a light wave after passing through the grating, let us first consider the case of 2 identical slits separated by the distance $h$, as shown in Fig.~\ref{grating}a. We will assume that the size of the slits is much smaller than the distance between them, so that the effect of Fraunhofer diffraction on each individual slit is negligible. Then the resulting intensity distribution on the screen is given my familiar Young formula: \begin{equation} \label{2slit_noDif} I(\theta)=\left|E_0 +E_0e^{ikh\sin\theta} \right|^2 = 4I_0\cos^2\left(\frac{\pi h}{\lambda}\sin\theta \right), \end{equation} where $k=2\pi/\lambda$, $I_0$ = $|E_0|^2$, and the angle $\theta$ is measured with respect to the normal to the plane containing the slits. %If we now include the Fraunhofer diffraction on each slit %same way as we did it in the previous section, Eq.(\ref{2slit_noDif}) becomes: %\begin{equation} \label{2slit_wDif} %I(\theta)=4I_0\cos^2\left(\frac{\pi h}{\lambda}\sin\theta %\right)\left[\frac{\sin (\frac{\pi D}{\lambda}\sin\theta)}{\frac{\pi %D}{\lambda}\sin\theta} \right]^2. %\end{equation} An interference on $N$ equidistant slits illuminated by a plane wave (Fig.~\ref{grating}b) produces much sharper maxima. To find light intensity on a screen, the contributions from all N slits must be summarized taking into account their acquired phase difference, so that the optical field intensity distribution becomes: \begin{equation} \label{Nslit_wDif} I(\theta)=\left|E_0 +E_0e^{ikh\sin\theta}+E_0e^{2ikh\sin\theta}+\dots+E_0e^{(N-1)ikh\sin\theta} \right|^2 = I_0\left[\frac{sin\left(N\frac{\pi h}{\lambda}\sin\theta\right)}{sin\left(\frac{\pi h}{\lambda}\sin\theta\right)} \right]^2. \end{equation} Here we again neglect the diffraction form each individual slit, assuming that the size of the slit is much smaller than the separation $h$ between the slits. The intensity distributions from a diffraction grating with illuminated $N=2,5$ and $10$ slits are shown in Fig.~\ref{grating}c. The tallest (\emph{principle}) maxima occur when the denominator of Eq.(~\ref{Nslit_wDif}) becomes zero: $h\sin\theta=\pm m\lambda$ where $m=1,2,3,\dots$ is the diffraction order. The heights of the principle maxima are $I_{\mathrm{max}}=N^2I_0$, and their widths are $\Delta \theta = 2\lambda/(Nh)$. Notice that the more slits are illuminated, the narrower diffraction peaks are, and the better the resolution of the system is: \begin{equation} \frac{ \Delta\lambda}{\lambda}=\frac{\Delta\theta}{\theta} \simeq \frac{1}{Nm} \end{equation} For that reason in any spectroscopic equipment a light beam is usually expanded to cover the maximum surface of a diffraction grating. \subsection*{Diffraction Grating Equation when the Incident Rays are not Normal} Up to now we assumed that the incident optical wavefront is normal to the pane of a grating. Let's now consider more general case when the angle of incidence $\theta_i$ of the incoming wave is different from the normal to the grating, as shown in Fig. \ref{DGnotnormal}a. Rather then calculating the whole intensity distribution, we will determine the positions of principle maxima. The path length difference between two rays 1 and 2 passing through the consequential slits us $a+b$, where: \begin{equation} a=h\sin \theta_i;\,\, b=h\sin \theta_R \end{equation} Constructive interference occurs for order $m$ when $a+b=m\lambda$, or: \begin{equation} h\sin \theta_i + \sin\theta_R=m\lambda \end{equation} \begin{figure}[h] \includegraphics[width=\columnwidth]{pic4i.eps} %\includegraphics[height=3in]{dn.eps} \caption{\label{DGnotnormal}Diagram of the light beams diffracted to the Right (a) and to the Left (b).} \end{figure} Now consider the case shown in Fig. \ref{DGnotnormal}. The path length between two beams is now $b-a$ where $b=h\sin\theta_L$. Combining both cases we have: \begin{eqnarray} \label{angles} h\sin\theta_L-\sin\theta_i&=&m\lambda\\ h\sin\theta_R+\sin\theta_i&=&m\lambda \nonumber \end{eqnarray} Adding these equations and dividing the result by 2 yields Eq.(\ref{mlambda}): \begin{equation}m\lambda=\frac{h}{2}\left(\sin\theta_L+\sin\theta_R\right) \end{equation} \end{document} \newpage