Prof. Shih-I Chu

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Structure and Quantum Dynamics of Rydberg Atoms in External Fields

The Rydberg (highly excited) atoms in external fields are among the most important prototype systems where the interplay between the quantum mechanics and classical nonlinear dynamics can be tested and compared directly with the experiments. Ab initio quantum studies of the Rydberg dynamics are, however, intrinsically sophisticated (involving infinite number of coupled bound and continuum states and large spatial dimensions) and computationally rather formidable. As such, most quantum studies so far have been confined to mostly 1D or 2D model systems. Professor Chu's group has recently developed a time-dependent generalized pseudospectral approaches for high-precision numerical solution of time-dependent Schrödinger equation with unprecedented accuracy, allowing detailed exploration of the quantum dynamics, long-living resonance states, and high-resolution spectroscopy of Rydberg atoms in intense external fields involving 3 or more (non-separable and non-integrable) degrees of freedom for the first time. Systems being studied include Rydberg H and alkali atoms in crossed electric and magnetic fields, and in circularly polarized microwave fields, etc. Extension to the study of Rydberg systems for quantum information technology is to be explored in the future.

Representative Publications:

K. Wang and S. I. Chu, Dynamics of multiphoton excitation and quantum diffusion in Rydberg atoms, Phys. Rev. A 39, 1800–1808 (1989) [BibTeX] [link] [pdf]
Y. H. Huang and S. I. Chu, Study of the photoabsorption spectrum of diamagnetic Rydberg atoms without the need of using full eigenvectors, Chem. Phys. Lett. 211, 601–606 (1993) [BibTeX] [link] [pdf]
T. F. Jiang and S. I. Chu, Time evolution and multiphoton ionization of Rydberg wavepacket in microwave fields, Chem. Phys. Lett. 240, 278–282 (1995) [BibTeX] [link] [pdf]
S. I. Chu and X. M. Tong, Time-dependent approach to high-resolution spectroscopy: application to the photoabsorption spectrum of classically chaotic hydrogen atoms in magnetic fields, Chem. Phys. Lett. 294, 31–36 (1998) [BibTeX] [link] [pdf]
X. M. Tong and S. I. Chu, Time-dependent approach to high-resolution spectroscopy and quantum dynamics of Rydberg atoms in crossed magnetic and electric fields, Phys. Rev. A 61, 031401(R) (2000) [BibTeX] [link] [pdf]

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Dept. of Chemistry
The University of Kansas