Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Log inSign up
Challenges
Datasets
Workspaces
Papers
Discussions
Leaderboard
Blog
Job Board
Q3AS

© 2026 Aqora Quantum S.A.S.

TermsPrivacyLegal Notice

International Journal of Quantum Chemistry

Enhanced probability for the photoelectric effect in a Faraday cage

John Avery

Published May 1, 1975• 0 citations
Publisher

Abstract

Abstract The cross section for the photoelectric effect is calculated for the case where the photoionization takes place within a Faraday cage held at a constant electrostatic potential. When the geometry has spherical symmetry, and when the potential is repulsive, the cross section is enhanced by a factor E/(E − V0). The predicted effect is a purely quantum mechanical one, since according to classical electrodynamics, no forces due to the potential of the cage will act on a charged particle in the fieldfree region inside it. In quantum theory, the effect arises because the continuum states extend to the region outside the cage.

DOI
10.1002/qua.560090307

Related papers

Photoelectric effect in the presence of a bichromatic laser field

Liang Bai, Wen-Yuan Du, Shu-Min Li +1 more

Photoelectric effect in atomic hydrogen in the presence of bichromatic laser fields composed of a fundamental frequency and its second or third harmonics is investigated. The expression of the S-matrix for the laser-assisted photoelectric effect is derived in the length gauge, which can simplify the elements of the matrix. A general dressed wavefunction of the atom is derived in perturbation theory. The continuum state of the ejected electron is described by a Coulomb–Volkov wavefunction. Numerical results of photoionization cross section for the distinct second component are obtained and compared with the monochromatic field dressing case. It is shown that the photoionization cross section is modified notably by introducing the second component of field, especially when the colliding system absorbs or emits a considerable number of laser photons.

Journal of Physics B Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics•Oct 29, 2010•0 citations

Significance of Electromagnetic Potentials in the Quantum Theory

Yakir Aharonov, David Böhm

In this paper, we discuss some interesting properties of the electromagnetic potentials in the quantum domain. We shall show that, contrary to the conclusions of classical mechanics, there exist effects of potentials on charged particles, even in the region where all the fields (and therefore the forces on the particles) vanish. We shall then discuss possible experiments to test these conclusions; and, finally, we shall suggest further possible developments in the interpretation of the potentials.

Physical Review•Aug 1, 1959•6,995 citations

IONIZATION BY QUANTIZED ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS: THE PHOTOELECTRIC EFFECT

HERIBERT ZENK

In this paper, we explain the photoelectric effect in a variant of the standard model of non relativistic quantum electrodynamics, which is in some aspects more closely related to the physical picture, than the one studied in [5]. Now, we can apply our results to an electron with more than one bound state and to a larger class of electron-photon interactions. We will specify a situation, where the second order of ionization probability is a weighted sum of single photon terms. Furthermore, we will see that Einstein's equality [Formula: see text] for the maximal kinetic energy E kin of the electron, energy hν of the photon and ionization gap △E is the crucial condition, for these single photon terms to be nonzero.

arXiv:math-ph/0610023•Reviews in Mathematical Physics•May 1, 2008•6 citations

Scalar Aharonov-Bohm effect with longitudinally polarized neutrons

Brendan E. Allman, W.-T. Lee, Olexei I. Motrunich +1 more

In the scalar Aharonov-Bohm effect, a charged particle (electron) interacts with the scalar electrostatic potential U in the field-free (i.e., force-free) region inside an electrostatic cylinder (Faraday cage). Using a perfect single-crystal neutron interferometer we have performed a ``dual'' scalar Aharonov-Bohm experiment by subjecting polarized thermal neutrons to a pulsed magnetic field. The pulsed magnetic field was spatially uniform, precluding any force on the neutrons. Aligning the direction of the pulsed magnetic field to the neutron magnetic moment also rules out any classical torque acting to change the neutron polarization. The observed phase shift is purely quantum mechanical in origin. A detailed description of the experiment, performed at the University of Missouri Research Reactor, and its interpretation is given in this paper.

Physical Review A•Dec 1, 1999•12 citations

Interpretation of Electric-Field-Induced Oscillations in the Cross Section of a One-Electron Atom above the Ionization Limit

Eliane Luc-Koenig, Annik Bachelier

Exact calculations of the photoionization cross sections of ground-state H in the presence of an external electric field are presented. The oscillations obtained above the zero-field ionization limit for $\ensuremath{\pi}$ polarization do not arise from specific properties of $m=0$ states, but from cancellation effects in the oscillator strengths due to the symmetry properties of the wave functions and of the light. The dependence of the cross section upon the light polarization is thoroughly explained and agrees with recent experiments on Rb.

Physical Review Letters•Sep 24, 1979•57 citations

Topological schemes in spacetime for the electrodynamic Aharonov-Bohm effect

Pablo L. Saldanha, Herman Batelaan

Abstract We consider different schemes for the electrodynamic Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect introduced in Saldanha P. L., Phys. Rev. A , 108 (2023) 062218, exploring the phenomenon to enhance the understanding of its topological nature in spacetime. In the treated examples, the electric current in a solenoid varies in time, changing its internal magnetic field and producing an external electric field, while a quantum charged particle is in a superposition state inside two Faraday cages in an interferometer. The Faraday cages cancel the electric field at their interiors, such that the particle is always subjected to null electromagnetic fields. We discuss how the AB phase difference depends on the topology of the electric and magnetic fields in spacetime in the different treated situations. In particular, we discuss interesting results when a conducting wire connects the two Faraday cages, with the AB phase depending on the wire position. We also show an amplification of the AB phase when the wire makes several turns around the solenoid, which could enable an experimental verification of the effect.

arXiv:2411.09622•Europhysics Letters (EPL)•May 1, 2025•1 citation
Abstract The cross section for the photoelectric effect is calculated for the case where the photoionization takes place within a Faraday cage held at a constant electrostatic potential. When the geometry has spherical symmetry, and when the potential is repulsive, the cross section is enhanced by a factor E/(E − V0). The predicted effect is a purely quantum mechanical one, since according to classical electrodynamics, no forces due to the potential of the cage will act on a charged particle in the fieldfree region inside it. In quantum theory, the effect arises because the continuum states extend to the region outside the cage.
Photoelectric effect in atomic hydrogen in the presence of bichromatic laser fields composed of a fundamental frequency and its second or third harmonics is investigated. The expression of the S-matrix for the laser-assisted photoelectric effect is derived in the length gauge, which can simplify the elements of the matrix. A general dressed wavefunction of the atom is derived in perturbation theory. The continuum state of the ejected electron is described by a Coulomb–Volkov wavefunction. Numerical results of photoionization cross section for the distinct second component are obtained and compared with the monochromatic field dressing case. It is shown that the photoionization cross section is modified notably by introducing the second component of field, especially when the colliding system absorbs or emits a considerable number of laser photons.
In this paper, we discuss some interesting properties of the electromagnetic potentials in the quantum domain. We shall show that, contrary to the conclusions of classical mechanics, there exist effects of potentials on charged particles, even in the region where all the fields (and therefore the forces on the particles) vanish. We shall then discuss possible experiments to test these conclusions; and, finally, we shall suggest further possible developments in the interpretation of the potentials.
In this paper, we explain the photoelectric effect in a variant of the standard model of non relativistic quantum electrodynamics, which is in some aspects more closely related to the physical picture, than the one studied in [5]. Now, we can apply our results to an electron with more than one bound state and to a larger class of electron-photon interactions. We will specify a situation, where the second order of ionization probability is a weighted sum of single photon terms. Furthermore, we will see that Einstein's equality [Formula: see text] for the maximal kinetic energy E kin of the electron, energy hν of the photon and ionization gap △E is the crucial condition, for these single photon terms to be nonzero.
In the scalar Aharonov-Bohm effect, a charged particle (electron) interacts with the scalar electrostatic potential U in the field-free (i.e., force-free) region inside an electrostatic cylinder (Faraday cage). Using a perfect single-crystal neutron interferometer we have performed a ``dual'' scalar Aharonov-Bohm experiment by subjecting polarized thermal neutrons to a pulsed magnetic field. The pulsed magnetic field was spatially uniform, precluding any force on the neutrons. Aligning the direction of the pulsed magnetic field to the neutron magnetic moment also rules out any classical torque acting to change the neutron polarization. The observed phase shift is purely quantum mechanical in origin. A detailed description of the experiment, performed at the University of Missouri Research Reactor, and its interpretation is given in this paper.
Exact calculations of the photoionization cross sections of ground-state H in the presence of an external electric field are presented. The oscillations obtained above the zero-field ionization limit for $\ensuremath{\pi}$ polarization do not arise from specific properties of m=0m=0m=0 states, but from cancellation effects in the oscillator strengths due to the symmetry properties of the wave functions and of the light. The dependence of the cross section upon the light polarization is thoroughly explained and agrees with recent experiments on Rb.
Abstract We consider different schemes for the electrodynamic Aharonov-Bohm (AB) effect introduced in Saldanha P. L., Phys. Rev. A , 108 (2023) 062218, exploring the phenomenon to enhance the understanding of its topological nature in spacetime. In the treated examples, the electric current in a solenoid varies in time, changing its internal magnetic field and producing an external electric field, while a quantum charged particle is in a superposition state inside two Faraday cages in an interferometer. The Faraday cages cancel the electric field at their interiors, such that the particle is always subjected to null electromagnetic fields. We discuss how the AB phase difference depends on the topology of the electric and magnetic fields in spacetime in the different treated situations. In particular, we discuss interesting results when a conducting wire connects the two Faraday cages, with the AB phase depending on the wire position. We also show an amplification of the AB phase when the wire makes several turns around the solenoid, which could enable an experimental verification of the effect.