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The study of chaos is today one of the most active and prolific areas in atomic physics. This book describes the manifestations of chaos in atoms and molecules, and is an introduction to this fascinating area. The first part of the book deals with the theory and principles of classical chaos, which are then applied to actual atomic and molecular physics systems in the second part of the book. The book covers microwave-driven surface state electrons, the hydrogen atom in a strong microwave field, the kicked hydrogen atom, chaotic scattering with CsI molecules and the helium atom. The book contains many diagrams and a detailed reference list.
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This book describes the manifestations of chaos in atoms and molecules. About ten years ago, atomic physics received a rejuvenating jolt from chaos theory with far-reaching implications. The study of chaos is today one of the most active and prolific areas in atomic physics. This is the first attempt to provide a coherent introduction to this fascinating area. In line with its scope, the book is divided into two parts. The first part (chapters 1-5) deals with the theory and principles of classical chaos. The ideas developed here are then applied to actual atomic and molecular physics systems in the second part of the book (chapters 6-10) covering microwave driven surface state electrons, the hydrogen atom in a strong microwave field, the kicked hydrogen atom, chaotic scattering with Csl molecules and the helium atom. The book contains many diagrams and a detailed reference list. The book will be of interest to graduate students and researchers in atomic, molecular and optical physics. CAMBRIDGE MONOGRAPHS ON ATOMIC, MOLECULAR AND CHEMICAL PHYSICS General Editors: A. Dalgarno, P. L. Knight, F. H. Read, R. N. Zare CHAOS IN ATOMIC PHYSICS CAMBRIDGE MONOGRAPHS ON ATOMIC, MOLECULAR AND CHEMICAL PHYSICS 1. R. Schinke Photodissociation Dynamics 2. L. Frommhold Collision-induced Absorption in Gases 3. T. F. Gallagher: Rydberg Atoms 4. M. Auzinsh and R. Ferber Optical Polarization of Molecules 5. I. E. McCarthy and E. Weigold Electron-atom Collisions 6. V. Schmidt Electron Spectrometry of Atoms using Synchrotron Radiation 7. Z. Rudzikas Theoretical Atomic Spectroscopy 8. J. H. McGuire Electron Correlation Dynamics in Atomic Collisions 9. J.-P. Connerade Highly Excited Atoms 10. R. Bltimel and W. P. Reinhardt Chaos in Atomic Physics Chaos in Atomic Physics R. BLUMEL Albert-Ludwigs-Universitat, Freiburg W. P. REINHARDT University of Washington, Seattle CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, Sao Paulo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 2RU, UK Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521455022 © Cambridge University Press 1997 This book is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published 1997 This digitally printed first paperback version 2005 A catalogue recordfor this publication is available from the British Library Library of Congress Cataloguing in Publication data p. cm. Blumel, R. (Reinhold) Chaos in atomic physics / R. Blumel, W. P. Reinhardt. (Cambridge monographs on atomic, molecular, and chemical physics: 10) Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0 521 45502 2 1. Chaotic behavior in systems. 2. Atoms. 3. Molecules. I. Reinhardt, William P. II. Title. III. Series. QC17417.C45B47 1997 539.7d-c21 96-39292 CIP ISBN-13 978-0-521-45502-2 hardback ISBN-10 0-521-45502-2 hardback ISBN-13 978-0-521-01790-9