Abstract

The structure and dynamics of atoms in strong fields are the central themes of contemporary atomic physics. Recently, the diamagnetic hydrogen problem—the problem of hydrogen in a magnetic field so strong that the magnetic force is comparable with the electric force—has taken on additional interest with the recognition that it provides a close to ideal stage for studying chaos in a small quantum system. It has been known for some time that the classical motion of the electron-proton system in a strong magnetic field can become chaotic¹; recently theoretical methods have advanced to the point where accurate quantum mechanical solutions can be generated for the regions of chaos.^2-4

© 1987 Optical Society of America