Measurement of the Rb 5S - 6S Transition via One-Photon M1 Excitation

Using a laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy scheme with a collimated Rb atomic beam, we have made progress in our measurements of the Rb 5S - 6S transition, in both isotopes, with a one-photon M1 excitation at about 497 nm. We plan to measure for the first time the M1 transition amplitude to the Rb 6S state, and the atomic scalar and vector polarizabilities α and β of that state, using an applied external DC electric field, and compare these to theoretical calculations.