Highly excited states of a hydrogen atom in a strong magnetic field

Journal Article · Fri Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · Phys. Rev. A; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.28.7· OSTI ID:6048230

Delos, J B; Knudson, S K; Noid, D W

Classical trajectories and semiclassical energy eigenvalues are calculated for an atomic electron in a high Rydberg state in an external magnetic field. With the use of perturbation theory, a classical trajectory is described as a Kepler ellipse with orbital parameters evolving slowly with time. As they evolve, the ellipse rocks, tilts, and flips in space, but the length of its major axis remains approximately constant. Exact numerical calculations verify that perturbation theory is quite accurate for the cases considered (principal quantum number approx. =30, magnetic field < or approx. =6 T). Action variables are calculated from perturbation theory and from exact trajectories, and semiclassical eigenvalues are obtained by quantization of action. Excellent agreement is found with observations.

• Research Organization: Physics Department, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
• OSTI ID: 6048230
• Journal Information: Phys. Rev. A; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. A; (United States) Vol. 28:1; ISSN PLRAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640302* -- Atomic
Molecular &amp; Chemical Physics-- Atomic &amp; Molecular Properties &amp; Theory
74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ATOMS
BASIC INTERACTIONS
EIGENVALUES
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
ELEMENTS
ENERGY
ENERGY LEVELS
EXCITED STATES
HYDROGEN
INTERACTIONS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
NONMETALS
PERTURBATION THEORY
RYDBERG STATES
STRONG INTERACTIONS