On the collisional depolarization and transfer rates of spectral lines by atomic hydrogen. III: application to $f$-states of neutral atoms

Abstract

The theory of collisional depolarization of spectral lines by atomic hydrogen (Derouich et al. 2003a; Derouich et al. 2003b) is extended to $f$-atomic levels $(l$=3). Depolarization rates, polarization and population transfer rates are calculated and results are given. Each cross section as a function of the effective quantum number for a relative velocity of 10 $\textrm{km s}^{-1}$ is given together with an exponent $\lambda$, if it exists, on the assumption that the cross section varies with velocity as $v^{-\lambda}$. A general trends of depolarization rates, of polarization transfer rates and of population transfer rates are given. A discussion of our results is achieved.