The stark effect in argon and krypton

Abstract

An investigation of the Stark effect in argon and krypton by the Lo Surdo method has been carried out by Ryde and published in final form in 1934. With moderate dispersion he observed displacements and splitting of 45 normal levels for argon and 60 for krypton at maximum fields which varied from 55 to 125 kV/cm. in different exposures. Electric combination lines were reported to be scarce in argon and numerous in krypton. Digests of the work are presented by Ryde in the form of tables intended to give the displacements at 100 kV/cm. These have been compiled by graphical interpolation or from single observations on the assumption that the displacement is proportional to the square of the field. We have examined with great care the entire evidence as published and conclude that the displacements and the number of sub-levels for certain terms at 100 kV/cm. need correction while others should be omitted from the list. These will be given in detail in our discussion.