Kinetics of atoms in the field produced by elliptically polarized waves

The kinetics of atoms with degenerate energy levels in the field produced by elliptically polarized waves is considered in the semiclassical approximation. Analytic expressions for the force acting on an atom and for the diffusion coefficient in the momentum space are derived for the optical transition J _g =1/2→J _e = 1/2 in the slow atom approximation. These expressions are valid for an arbitrary one-dimensional configuration of the light field and for an arbitrary intensity. The peculiarities of the atomic kinetics are investigated in detail; these peculiarities are associated with ellipticity of light waves and are absent in particular configurations formed by circularly or linearly polarized waves, which were considered earlier.     

Collective states in highly symmetric atomic configurations and single-photon traps

We study correlated states in circular and linear-chain configurations of identical two-level atoms containing the energy of a single quasi-resonant photon in the form of a collective excitation, where the collective behavior is mediated by exchange of transverse photons between the atoms. For a circular atomic configuration containing N atoms, the collective energy eigenstates can be determined by group-theoretical means making use of the fact that the configuration possesses a cyclic symmetry group Z _N . For these circular configurations, the carrier spaces of the various irreducible representations of the symmetry group are at most two-dimensional, so that the effective Hamiltonian on the radiationless subspace of the system can be diagonalized analytically. As a consequence, the radiationless energy eigenstates carry a Z _N quantum number p = 0, 1, …, N, which is analogous to the angular momentum quantum number l = 0, 1, … carried by particles propagating in a central potential, such as a hydrogen-like system. Just as the hydrogen s states are the only electronic wave functions that can occupy the central region of the Coulomb potential, the quasi-particle corresponding to a collective excitation of the circular atomic sample can occupy the central atom only for vanishing Z _N quantum number p. When a central atom is present, the p = 0 state splits into two, showing level crossing at certain radii; in the regions between these radii, damped oscillations between two “ extreme” p = 0 states occur, where the excitation occupies either the outer atoms or the central atom only. For large numbers of atoms in a maximally subradiant state, a critical interatomic distance of λ/2 emerges both in the linear-chain and in the circular configuration of atoms. The spontaneous decay rate of the linear configuration exhibits a jumplike “critical” behavior for next-neighbor distances close to a half-wavelength. Furthermore, both the linear-chain and the circular configurations exhibit exponential photon trapping once the next-neighbor distance becomes less than a half-wavelength, with the suppression of spontaneous decay being particularly pronounced in the circular system. In this way, circular configurations containing sufficiently many atoms may be natural candidates for single-photon traps.     

Coulomb deexcitation of muonic hydrogen within the quantum close-coupling method

The Coulomb deexcitation of muonic hydrogen in collisions with the hydrogen atom has been studied in the framework of the fully quantum-mechanical close-coupling method for the first time. The calculations of the l-averaged cross sections of the Coulomb deexcitation are performed for (μp)_n and (μd)_n atoms in the initial states with the principal quantum number n = 3–9 and at relative energies E = 0.1–100 eV. The obtained results for the n and E dependences of the Coulomb deexcitation cross sections drastically differ from the semiclassical results. An important contribution of the transitions with Δn > 1 to the total Coulomb deexcitation cross sections (up to ～37%) is predicted.     

Investigation of excitation of Ag atoms in internal conversion of γ rays

Excitation of Ag atoms in the internal conversion of γ rays due to the E3 transition in ^109m Ag has been measured on an anti-Compton spectrometer and a multidimensional-coincidence spectrometer with GeSi(Li) detectors. The probability of double ionization of the K shell is determined to be P _KK =(2.5 ± 0.2) × 10^?4. It is shown that the direct process is dominant in excitation of Ag atoms.     

Effect of secondary electrons on the yield of electron-stimulated desorption of neutral atoms under differently localized core-level excitations in a substrate

This paper reports on the results of a comparative analysis of the changes in the electron-stimulated desorption (ESD) yield of neutral particles from layers of alkali metal and Ba atoms deposited on the surface of a metal atop an oxygen (O/W, O/Mo) or germanium (Ge/W) film as a function of the incident electron beam energy E. The atomic yield q(E) is compared with the ionization cross sections of the core levels whose ionization potentials coincide with the ESD yield thresholds of the atoms. Three types of dependences q(E) are discussed, and the role of the secondary electrons generated in the electron-bombarded substrate for each type of the dependence of the ESD yield on E is elucidated. The analysis is based on the experimental studies performed by the authors in the recent years, starting from 1991. It is shown that the actual type of dependence q(E) is determined both by the actual localization of the atom excited by the electron beam and by the extent of localization of the core excitation resulting in ESD.     

Fundamental Entangling Operators in Quantum Mechanics and Their Properties

For the first time, we introduce so-called fundamental entangling operators \(e^{iQ_{1} P_{2}}\) and \(e^{iP_{1} Q_{2} }\) for composing bipartite entangled states of continuum variables, where Q_i and P_i (i = 1, 2) are coordinate and momentum operator, respectively. We then analyze how these entangling operators naturally appear in the quantum image of classical quadratic coordinate transformation (q₁, q₂) → (Aq₁ + Bq₂, Cq₁ + Dq₂), where AD?BC = 1, which means even the basic coordinate transformation (Q₁, Q₂) → (AQ₁ + BQ₂, CQ₁ + DQ₂) involves entangling mechanism. We also analyse their Lie algebraic properties and use the integration technique within an ordered product of operators to show they are also one- and two- mode combinatorial squeezing operators.     

Forbidden 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">nP</Emphasis> and 2<Emphasis Type="Italic">P</Emphasis>–<Emphasis Type="Italic">nF</Emphasis> transitions in the energy spectrum of ultracold Rydberg lithium-7 atoms

Forbidden 2P–nP and 2P–nF transitions in the ranges of the principal quantum number n = 42–114 and n = 38–48 have been detected in the optical spectra of ultracold highly excited lithium-7 atoms. The presence of forbidden transitions is due to induced external electric fields. The quantum defects and ionization energy obtained in various experiments and predicted theoretically have been discussed.     

Noncompact <Emphasis Type="Italic">u</Emphasis><Subscript>q</Subscript>(2, 1) quantum algebra: Discrete series of highest weight irreducible representations

The structure of unitary irreducible representations of the noncompact u_q(2, 1) quantum algebra that are related to a negative discrete series is examined. With the aid of projection operators for the su_q(2) subalgebra, a q analog of the Gelfand-Graev formulas is derived in the basis corresponding to the reduction u_q(2, 1) → su_q(2)×u(1). Projection operators for the su_q(1, 1) subalgebra are employed to study the same representations for the reduction u_q(2, 1) → u(1)×su_q(1, 1). The matrix elements of the generators of the u_q(2, 1) algebra are computed in this new basis. A general analytic expression for an element of the transformation brackets <U∣T>_q between the bases associated with the above two reductions (the elements of this matrix are referred to as q Weyl coefficients) is obtained for a general case where the deformation parameter q is not equal to a root of unity. It is shown explicitly that, apart from a phase, the q Weyl coefficients coincide with the q Racah coefficients for the su_q(2) quantum algebra.     

Vector correlations in the F + HD reaction

A theoretical study of the orientation of product rotational angular momenta for two chemical reaction channels: F + HD(ν _r = 0, j _r = 0) → HF(ν, j) + D and F + HD(ν _r = 0, j _r = 0) → DF(ν, j) + H at a E _coll = 78.54 meV collision energy was performed. Angular momentum orientation was described on the basis of irreducible tensor operators (state multipoles) expressed through anisotropy transfer coefficients, which contained quantum-mechanical scattering T matrices determined on the basis of exact solutions to quantum scattering equations obtained using the hyperquantization algorithm. The possibility of the existence of substantial orientation of the angular momentum of reaction products j in the direction perpendicular to the scattering plane was demonstrated. The dependences of differential reaction cross sections and state multi-poles on the ν and j quantum numbers were calculated and analyzed. A experimental scheme based on the multiphoton ionization method was suggested. The scheme can be used to detect predicted reaction product angular momentum orientation.     

On phase-space representations of quantum mechanics using Glauber coherent states

A phase-space formulation of quantum mechanics is proposed by constructing two representations (identified as pq and qp) in terms of the Glauber coherent states, in which phase-space wave functions (probability amplitudes) play the central role, and position q and momentum p are treated on equal footing. After finding some basic properties of the pq and qp wave functions, the quantum operators in phase-space are represented by differential operators, and the Schrödinger equation is formulated in both pictures. Afterwards, the method is generalized to work with the density operator by converting the quantum Liouville equation into pq and qp equations of motion for two-point functions in phase-space. A coordinate transformation between those points allows one to construct a cell in phase-space, whose central point can be treated as a parameter. In this way, one gets equations of motion describing the evolution of one-point functions in phase-space. Finally, it is shown that some quantities obtained in this paper are related in a natural way with cross-Wigner functions, which are constructed with either the position or the momentum wave functions.     

All possible Cayley-Klein contractions of quantum orthogonal groups

Spaces of constant curvature and their motion groups are described most naturally in the Cartesian basis. All these motion groups, also known as CK groups, are obtained from an orthogonal group by contractions and analytical continuations. On the other hand, quantum deformation of orthogonal group SO(N) is most easily performed in the so-called symplectic basis. We reformulate its standard quantum deformation to the Cartesian basis and obtain all possible contractions of quantum orthogonal group SO _q (N) for both untouched and transformed deformation parameters. It turned out that, similar to the undeformed case, all CK contractions of SO _q (N) are realized. An algorithm for obtaining nonequivalent (as Hopf algebra) contracted quantum groups is suggested. Contractions of SO _q (N), N = 3, 4, 5, are regarded as examples.     

Meissner effect in superconductors with a finite pair momentum

The features of the Meissner effect in superconductors with a finite pairing momentum are analyzed. Response to a weak magnetic field is calculated for various cases covering a pair momentum range from q ? Δ/v ₀ to q ～ p ₀, including q = Δ₀/v ₀ (v ₀ is the velocity on the Fermi surface and Δ₀ is the order parameter at zero temperature; the system of units where ? = 1 is used). The response of a superconductor carrying the transport current at a temperature close to the critical temperature T _c is determined. It is shown that, at a certain critical momentum (current), the response parallel to the momentum vanishes and the London length is infinite. The response perpendicular to the momentum remains unchanged. The response of the superconductor in the current state at zero temperature is calculated. A new contribution to the paramagnetic current is found, and its mechanism is determined. This contribution can be large for high momenta q ～ p ₀. The Meissner effect is analyzed in detail for the state proposed by Larkin and Ovchinnikov, Zh. Éksp. Teor. Fiz. 47, 1136 (1964) [Sov. Phys. JETP 20, 762 (1964)], as well as by Fulde and Ferrel, Phys. Rev. A 135, 550 (1964). It is shown that the response parallel to the vector q is nonzero and diamagnetic. On the contrary, the response perpendicular to the momentum vanishes at the optimal momentum q ₀. The sensitivity of the Meissner effect to the fine features of the superconducting state such as the quasiparticle spectrum, coherent factors, etc. is demonstrated.     

Calculation of cross sections of simultaneous ionization in ion-atom collisions by the generalized geometrical model

The geometrical model (GM) of ionization in ion—atom collisions [8, 9] was generalized to describe ionization of both colliding particles (simultaneous ionization) due to electron—electron interaction. The generalized GM (GGM) allows calculation of the cross sections for electron loss by an incident particle with simultaneous target ionization at collision velocities higher than characteristic electron velocities, accurate within a factor of two with respect to the Born or impulse approximation. An advantage of the GGM, except for its simplicity, is easy calculation of p(b) (p is the ionization probability and b is the impact parameter), which makes it possible to include the contribution of simultaneous ionization into more general approximate schemes for calculating cross sections of multielectron ionization of atoms or ions.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis>-boson-fermion realizations of the quantum superalgebra <Emphasis Type="Italic">U</Emphasis><Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">q</Emphasis></Subscript>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">osp</Emphasis>(1/2))

We show that our construction of realizations for algebras and quantum algebras can be generalized to quantum superalgebras too. We studyan example of quantum superalgebra U _q (osp(1/2)) and give the boson-fermion realization with respect to one pair of q-boson operators and one pair of fermions.     

Phase-space treatment of the driven quantum harmonic oscillator

A recent phase-space formulation of quantum mechanics in terms of the Glauber coherent states is applied to study the interaction of a one-dimensional harmonic oscillator with an arbitrary time-dependent force. Wave functions of the simultaneous values of position q and momentum p are deduced, which in turn give the standard position and momentum wave functions, together with expressions for the ηth derivatives with respect to q and p, respectively. Afterwards, general formulae for momentum, position and energy expectation values are obtained, and the Ehrenfest theorem is verified. Subsequently, general expressions for the cross-Wigner functions are deduced. Finally, a specific example is considered to numerically and graphically illustrate some results.     

Specific features of the three-electron <Emphasis Type="Italic">KL</Emphasis><Stack><Subscript>2, 3</Subscript><Superscript>2</Superscript></Stack> ionization of silicon atoms upon near-threshold photoabsorption

The shape and relative intensity of the group of the Kα_5–8 satellites (radiative transitions KL _{2, 3} ² )-L _{2, 3} ³ of Si atoms are experimentally studied upon photoabsorption near and far from the KL _{2, 3} ² ionization threshold. The satellites were excited near the ionization threshold by lines of the characteristic L spectrum and bremsstrahlung radiation from Nb and Mo anodes and far from the threshold by the L spectrum and bremsstrahlung radiation from an Ag anode and by monochromatized Kα_{1, 2} radiation from a Ti anode. It is established that the probability P(L _{2, 3} ² ) of formation of two additional 2p vacancies during KL _{2, 3} ² photoabsorption of Si atoms near the energy threshold is by a factor of 1.5 lower than that during photoionization in a more distant energy region beyond the threshold. At the same time, the P(L _{2, 3} ² )/P(L _{2, 3}) ratio remains invariable for the absorbed photons throughout the energy range studied. It is demonstrated that, as the KL _{2, 3} ² ionization threshold is approached, an intensity redistribution occurs among the components of the group of the Kα_5–8 lines, which reflects a decrease in the excitation cross section ratio σ(⁴ P)/σ(² P) of the ⁴ P and ² P terms of the KL _{2, 3} ² configuration. A conclusion is drawn that the effects of suppression of the generation of P terms of higher multiplicity during the KL _{2, 3} and KL _{2, 3} ² near-threshold photoionizations are of a common nature.     

Spontaneous Raman scattering upon resonant three-photon ionization of a samarium atom

The manifestation of spontaneous Raman scattering upon the three-photon ionization of a samarium atom has been investigated. The dependence of the Sm⁺ yield on the laser frequency, along with the peaks due to the two-photon excitation of bound states from different levels of the 4f ⁶6s ^{2 7} F ground term, exhibits a strong peak due to single-photon excitation of the 4f ⁵5d6s ^{2 7} D°₃ state from the 4f ⁶5d6s ⁹ H ₂ excited state. The 4f ⁶5d6s ⁹ H ₂ state was populated as a result of spontaneous Raman scattering. The large amplitude of the observed peak indicates a high efficiency of this process. The estimations performed indicate that the probability of resonant ionization through an excited state populated due to spontaneous Raman scattering can be comparable with the probability of three-photon ionization through the two-photon intermediate resonance. The necessary conditions for implementing this channel of resonant three-photon ionization are formulated.     

Relativistic Hydrogen-Like Atom on a Noncommutative Phase Space

The energy levels of hydrogen-like atom on a noncommutative phase space were studied in the framework of relativistic quantum mechanics. The leading order corrections to energy levels 2S _1/2, 2P _1/2 and 2P _3/2 were obtained by using the ?? and the \(\bar \theta \) modified Dirac Hamiltonian of hydrogen-like atom on a noncommutative phase space. The degeneracy of the energy levels 2P _1/2 and 2P _3/2 were removed completely by ??-correction. And the \(\bar \theta \)-correction shifts these energy levels.     

Population Dynamics of Ground State Sublevels: Influence on Polarization Properties of High Harmonics

Within the framework of the non-perturbative light–atom interaction theory, we consider the population dynamics of the ground-state sublevels corresponding to the different values of the orbital quantum number (l) projections and its influence on the high optical harmonics. We study the problem of high optical harmonics generation in two geometries: (1) two linearly polarized fields at frequencies ω and 2ω for different angles of azimuthal projection difference and arbitrary orientation with respect to the angular momentum of the atom direction; (2) two elliptically polarized fields at frequencies ω and 2ω rotating in opposite directions with variable mutual ellipticity. We show that the unequal population dynamics of the levels with different projections of the atom angular momentum (magnetic quantum number) has a significant impact on the value of the ellipticity of the generated radiation.