The role of phase in molecular Rydberg wave packet dynamics

The dynamics of Rydberg electron wave packets in a molecular system was investigated. Peaks in the autocorrelation function of a wave packet composed predominantly of two interleaved Rydberg series were observed at a stroboscopic period, which depends on both the difference in the ionization limits...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Smith, R, Stavros, V, Verlet, J, Fielding, H, Townsend, D, Softley, T
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: 2003
Description
Summary:The dynamics of Rydberg electron wave packets in a molecular system was investigated. Peaks in the autocorrelation function of a wave packet composed predominantly of two interleaved Rydberg series were observed at a stroboscopic period, which depends on both the difference in the ionization limits of the two series, and on the quantum defects. This observation was rationalized by viewing the system as one in which two electron wave packets evolve independently until they overlap spatially.