Dynamic Spin-Orbit Effects in Spontaneous E1 Transitions

Spin-orbit interaction beyond diagonalization

“…This will be dealt with in an upcoming article. A first summary [5] and a comprehensive account [6] has been, respectively, will be given elsewhere.…”

What is quantum interference in atoms?

“…These assumptions rely on the notion that atoms do exist primarily in totally quantized states. Recently [2], [3] we have explained that all dynamical aspects can be accounted for by a time-dependent and simultaneous treatment of the spin-orbit and electric-dipole interactions. This provides the general basis for our new theory.…”

“…This provides the general basis for our new theory. As to the spin-orbit interaction, it turned out that coherent states are a superposition of in-phase precession states with nutation [2]- [4] rather than of fs-eigenstates. With precession states being the general term, one should make the distinction rather between precession states with and without nutation, respectively.…”

“…So does a fs-eigenstate with its single, spatially stationary total angular momentum which, therefore, is a precession state without nutation. Representing the balanced, hence time-independent and unobservable, exchange of population, it is generated only if the ratio of the initial sublevel populations meets the quantization criterion [2]- [4] as given by the ratio of the Clebsch-Gordan coefficients.…”

“…Thus, in general a fs-eigenstate does not automatically decay into another fs-eigenstate, but into a precession state with nutation. The reason for this to happen is in the abrupt change of the spin-orbit coupling strength [2]- [4]. As to eq.…”