Quantum Chaos in Rydberg Atoms.
Abstract
During this this year we have demonstrated a new experimental technique for studying the inteface of classical and quantum dynamics, based on our previous work in recurrence spectroscopy. The subject is a lithium atom in an applied electric field, and the starting point is the recurrence spectrum in various energy regiines. We selected a particularly simple regime where a single classical orbit, and its repetitions, is manifest in the recurrence spectrum. In our new method, the system is perturbed with an oscillating electric field whose frequency is varied in the vicinity of the frequency of the primary classical orbit. We have been able to do this under conditions of scaled energy spectroscopy, in which the static and oscillating field amplitudes, the frequency, and the laser energy are all varied simultaneously so as to maintain conditions of constant classical dynamics. We have observed the creation and destruction of orbits by our field, and the systematic perturbation of the action of various orbits. In collaboration with Prof. John Delos of the College of William and Mary, a theoretical framework has been constructed which appears capable of providing a good quantitative description of the phenomena.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 11, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA322341
Entities
People
- Daniel Kleppner
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology