Sudden perturbation of hydrogen atoms by intense ultrashort laser pulses
- Centre for Atomic, Molecular and Surface Physics, Murdoch University, Perth 6150 (Australia)
We study theoretically how hydrogen atoms respond to intense ultrashort laser pulses of duration {tau} shorter than the inverse of the initial-state energy {epsilon}{sub i}{sup -1}. An analytical expression for the evolution operator S is derived up to the first order of the sudden perturbation approximation. This approximation treats the laser-atom interaction beyond the dipole approximation and yields S as a series in the small parameter {epsilon}{sub i}{tau}. It is shown that the effect of realistic laser pulses on atoms begins at the first order of {epsilon}{sub i}{tau}. Transitions between atomic (nlm) states of different m become possible due to the action of the pulse's magnetic field. Transitions between states of same m and arbitrary l become possible if the static Coulomb potential is taken into account during the pulse.
- OSTI ID:
- 20786327
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. A, Vol. 72, Issue 6; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.72.063402; (c) 2005 The American Physical Society; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1050-2947
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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