Spatially localized Rydberg electronic wave packets

Thesis/Dissertation · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5540073

Yeazell, J A

The problem of forming a spatially localized electronic wave packet, in a bound atomic system, is studied. The intent is to form a wave packet which has strong classical characteristics and behavior. Such a state would occupy the same role for the atomic system as the coherent state fills for the harmonic oscillator. These states offer a system where the relationship of classical and quantal mechanics can be studied. Two experiments are described in which coherent superpositions of Rydberg atomic states are excited by a short, optical pulse. Each experiment studies a different type of superposition and the resulting wave packet. Both types of wave packets can be described, in part, by classical theory. The results of the experiments are compared with the predictions of the classical theory. In the first experiment, a superposition of states, that have different principal quantum numbers, is formed. The resulting wave packet is localized in the radial dimension. The radial motion of this wave packet is periodic with the period of the classical Kepler orbit. This periodicity was observed in the photoionization signal produced by a delayed, short pulse. As the wave packet oscillated between the inner and outer turning points, the photoionization rate changed. The second experiment used a technique for exciting high angular momentum Rydberg states to form a superposition of states with different angular momentum quantum numbers. The resulting wave packet is localized along an elliptical trajectory about the nucleus. Finally, the feasibility of exciting a wave packet, which combines the characteristics of both of the above wave packets, is studied numerically.

• Research Organization: Rochester Univ., NY (United States)
• OSTI ID: 5540073
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640302* -- Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics-- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ANGULAR MOMENTUM
ATOMS
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITATION
EXCITED STATES
INFORMATION
IONIZATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MECHANICS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
PHOTOIONIZATION
QUANTUM MECHANICS
QUANTUM NUMBERS
RYDBERG STATES
WAVE PACKETS