A note on Δn ≠ 0 Stark transitions in hydrogenlike atoms

1992

In a gaseous helium or hydrogen target slow muons or antiprotons are captured into orbits with a high principal quantum number (n = 15 to 50) to form (μ− α)+ ions, (pα)+ ions, or (pp) atoms respectively. In the subsequent deexcitation process Stark mixing of the intermediary states plays an important role. The successful Mainz Cascade Model assumed Δn = 0 for the Stark transitions, although formally no such selection rule exists. This note examines the reasons why Δn ≠ 0 Stark transitions play only a negligible role in the deexcitation cascade.