TRANSITION ARRAYS IN ATOMIC SPECTROSCOPY WITH A COMMERCIAL SPREADSHEET PROGRAM

In deducing the experimental energy levels of an atom from its observe d spectral lines, a two-dimensional transition array showing all the p redicted and identified electric-dipole transitions can be of gnat hel p. A system for using a commercial spreadsheet program to construct th ese arrays is described. Use of such a program facilitates the generat ion of large arrays with little computer coding. The basic principles should be applicable to other areas where it is desired to organize ex perimental and theoretical data in a two-dimensional array. (C) 1997 A merican Institute of Physics.