Perturbation of atomic energy levels by a metal surface

The energy level shifts of one-electron atomic particles H, He⁺, Li⁺⁺, etc. which interact with a metal surface have been investigated. In the approximation of image charges, an operator describing perturbations of atomic levels has been obtained. By numerically solving the Schro dinger equation, we have calculated energy levels of H(1s), H*(n=2), and C⁵⁺(n) as functions of the distance between an atom and surface. Asymptotic behavior of atomic levels at large distances from the surface has been studied. The linear Stark effect for excited states, which was earlier mentioned by A. V. Chaplik, has been found and investigated in detail. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 116, 236–256 (July 1999)