Skip to main content
U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Microwave ionization of H atoms: Breakdown of classical dynamics for high frequencies

Journal Article · · Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States)

We report the first measurements of microwave excitation and ionization of excited hydrogen atoms for scaled frequencies n/sub 0//sup 3/..omega.. up to 2.8. Classical 3d calculations which directly model this 36.021-GHz experiment agree quite well for n/sub 0//sup 3/..omega..<1, agree less well for 1less than or equal ton/sub 0//sup 3/..omega..less than or equal to2, and do not agree for n/sub 0//sup 3/..omega..>2. This supports theoretical predictions that as n/sub 0//sup 3/..omega.. rises above one quantal ionization threshold fields rise above those for the onset of classical chaos; however, the data continue to reveal local stability near certain rational frequency ratios that recalls classical behavior.

Research Organization:
Physics Department, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11794 Mathematics Faculty, Open University, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA, United Kingdom
OSTI ID:
6723896
Journal Information:
Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Phys. Rev. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 61:18; ISSN PRLTA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English