Rydberg Atoms

by Thomas F. Gallagher

Overview

This book provides a comprehensive description of the physics of Rydberg atoms, highlighting their remarkable properties by reference to their behavior in a wide range of physical situations. Following an overview of the basic properties of Rydberg atoms, their interactions with electric and magnetic fields are analyzed in detail. The collisions of Rydberg atoms with neutral and charged species are described, and the use of multichannel quantum defect theory in the study of Rydberg atomic systems is discussed.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521021661
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	11/03/2005
Series:	Cambridge Monographs on Atomic, Molecular and Chemical Physics , #3
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	512
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.61(h) x 1.02(d)

Table of Contents

1. Introduction; 2. Rydberg atom wavefunctions; 3. Production of Rydberg atoms; 4. Oscillator strengths and lifetimes; 5. Blackbody radiation; 6. Electric fields; 7. Pulsed field ionization; 8. Photoexcitation in electric fields; 9. Magnetic fields; 10. Microwave excitation and ionization; 11. Collisions with neutral atoms and molecules; 12. Spectral lineshifts and broadenings; 13. Charged particle collisions; 14. Resonant Rydberg-Rydberg collisions; 15. Radiative collisions; 16. Spectroscopy of alkali Rydberg states; 17. Radio frequency spectroscopy of alkaline earth atoms; 18. Bound helium Rydberg states; 19. Autoionizing Rydberg states; 20. Quantum defect theory; 21. Optical spectra of autoionizing Rydberg states; 22. Interseries interaction in bound states; 23. Double Rydberg states.

Editorial Reviews

"Provides a comprehensive description of the physics of Rydberg atoms, highlighting their remarkable properties by reference to their behavior in a wide range of physical situations." Optical Engineering

"...handsomely produced with many illustrations...the book will undoubtedly be the standard reference work in the field for many years to come...should be invaluable both to experienced researchers and to graduate students...it constitutes a valuable resource for teachers of quantum mechanics and atomic physics..." Daniel Kleppner, Nature

"...will be useful to those wanting to access in one place Gallagher's way of understanding and explaining a rich variety of phenomena...libraries should definitely make the investment." Peter M. Koch, Physics World

"...This timely and beautifully produced book provides the background needed to delve into the recent literature in the area...it also constitutes a rich source of experimentally realizable and elegant illustrations of basic physical principles." Turgay Uzer, Physics Today

"Gallagher has made one more fine contribution to the field of atomic physics." James E. Bayfield, American Journal of Physics

From the Publisher