The Stark effect in atomic Rydberg states through a quantum defect approach

Abstract

ABSTRACT:A basis set of quantum defect orbitals (QDOs) has been adopted for the diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix of nonhydrogenic atoms in the presence of an external electric field, so that the Stark structure of the Rydberg states has been possible to determine. The presently obtained Stark maps are in excellent agreement with those resulting from theory and experiment, as reported in the literature for a few representative atoms. The adequacy of the Stark quantum defect orbital (SQDO) procedure for accurately dealing with properties related to the Stark effect in atoms is suggested.

Core effect in the Stark spectrum of highly excited barium

“…In the following text, we will use δ rather than δ and ignore the prime. Diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix of nonhydrogenic atoms in an electric field can be performed in the basis set composed of the quantum defect orbitals [37,38]. In this work, we will take the B-spline function as the basis.…”

“…At the same time, an alternative method of quantum defect orbital is also applied to incorporate the quantum defects explicitly, usually called 'exact quantum defect theory' [35,36]. This method can yield the 'exact' quantum-defect eigenvalues as well as analytical eigenfunctions which provide a good basis for the Stark problem in an external electric field [37,38]. The alternative model potential in this method exhibits a direct physics for the quantum defect effects.…”