Quantum versus classical dynamics in the treatment of multiple photon excitation of the anharmonic oscillator

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1977 · J. Chem. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.435085· OSTI ID:7097752

Walker, R B; Preston, R K

The response of a one-dimensional anharmonic Morse oscillator to an intense electromagnetic field has been investigated using both a quasiclassical and quantum mechanical description of the oscillator. The anharmonic nature of the Morse potential reduces the coherence of the quantum excitation process after only a few quanta have been absorbed. The classical and quantum behavior of averaged quantities such as the energy absorbed and the oscillator displacement as a function of time are in good agreement; however, the classical description cannot reproduce the multiphoton resonances. We are led to the conclusion that classical mechanics provides an adequate description of the response of a molecule in an intense laser field provided that multiphoton resonances do not individually play a fundamental role in the process.

• Research Organization: Theoretical Division, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545
• OSTI ID: 7097752
• Journal Information: J. Chem. Phys.; (United States), Vol. 67:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

74 ATOMIC AND MOLECULAR PHYSICS
MOLECULES
EXCITATION
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
LASER RADIATION
MORSE POTENTIAL
PHOTONS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY-LEVEL TRANSITIONS
MASSLESS PARTICLES
MECHANICS
RADIATIONS
640305* - Atomic
Molecular & Chemical Physics- Atomic & Molecular Theory- (-1987)