Observation of spatially localized atomic-electron wave packets

Technical Report · Mon Apr 11 00:00:00 EDT 1988

OSTI ID:6752642

Yeazell, J A; Stroud, C R

This reprint explores the excitement and detection of an atomic-electron wave packet that is localized in the polar and azimuthal angles. The wave packet is formed through the coherent superposition of Rydberg states of atomic sodium. The superposition is achieved by short-pulse optical excitation of the atom in the presence of a strong r-f field. The wave packet is detected by d-c field ionization. The behavior of this wave packet in a strong dc field is much different from that of an eigenstate. This behavior agrees well with a simple classic model.

• Research Organization: Rochester Univ., NY (USA). Inst. of Optics
• OSTI ID: 6752642
• Report Number(s): AD-A-195575/6/XAB
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Pub. in Physical Review Letters, Vol. 60, No. 15, 1494-1497(11 Apr 1988)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
ELECTRONIC STRUCTURE
WAVE PACKETS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRONS
EXCITATION
IONIZATION
RYDBERG STATES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY LEVELS
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
EXCITED STATES
FERMIONS
LEPTONS
640302* - Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics- Atomic & Molecular Properties & Theory