High-resolution laser spectroscopy of atomic beams

Shows that the development of continuously tunable dye lasers led to the development of high-resolution spectroscopy of atoms and molecules. If a laser beam is made to intersect with a well collimated beam of atoms, the fine structure of Rydberg atoms, hyperfine structure of atom spectra, isotope shift, and the effects of external magnetic and electric fields can be studied. The procedure is explained and results of experiments with sodium and indium are discussed. The experiments will be extended to other wave length bands (by frequency doubling), to extreme fields (by using Helmholtz coils and Stark effect capacitors) and to radioactive isotopes. (J.S.)