Quantum states of ultracold electronically excited atoms in a magnetic quadrupole trap
- Physikalisches Institut, Universitaet Heidelberg, Philosophenweg 12, 69120 Heidelberg (Germany)
In this work we present an investigation on the quantum dynamics of ultracold electronically excited atoms exposed to an external magnetic quadrupole field. We present a general Hamiltonian which describes the quantum dynamics of an atom in an arbitrary linear magnetic field. This makes our approach applicable to a wide range of atoms and magnetic field configurations. The system is solved by incorporating an adiabatic separation of the electronic and center-of-mass dynamics. We provide the adiabatic energy surfaces and discuss under which conditions trapped center-of-mass states can be achieved. We present energies and wave functions of the corresponding quantum states. By analyzing the properties of the combined center-of-mass and electronic quantum states we demonstrate that the extension of the electronic wave function can exceed that of the center-of-mass motion. Therefore such atoms cannot be considered as being pointlike. A discussion of electromagnetic transitions is also provided.
- OSTI ID:
- 20786539
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review. A, Vol. 72, Issue 5; Other Information: DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevA.72.053410; (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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