Blackbody-Radiation-Induced Decay and Excitation οf Rydberg States in Sodium

Rates of the blackbody radiation-induced excitation and decay were calculated for the S-, P-, D-series of the Rydberg states in sodium atoms with the Fues model potential method. Comparisons between three branches of the state depopulation mechanism (spontaneous decays, blakbody radiation-induced and excitations) were carried out. Simple analytical formulas were proposed for ratios of the blackbody radiation-induced decay and excitation rates to the spontaneous decay rate.