Quantum Chaos in Rydberg Atoms
Abstract
We have carried out a study of physics in the semiclassical regime. Recently we extended the technique of recurrence spectroscopy to the time domain. In separate experiment we investigated extending the semiclassical closed orbit theory to a process whose origin is entirely quantum mechanical: tunneling. We studied the continuum photoexcitation spectrum of Ryberg states of lithium in an electric field under conditions for which the escaping electron must tunnel through the potential barrier, and also for which it could escape over the barrier. We applied scaled energy spectroscopy to the system, making it possible to relate the spectrum to the classical orbits. When tunneling is important,new classical orbits can originate by an entirely non-classical process. It has turned out to be possible to understand the system theoretically and reproduce the spectrum in great detail, including both sharp tunneling resonances and broad above-barrier structures.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA362681
Entities
People
- Daniel Kleppner
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology