Classical examination of the Stark effect in hydrogen
Andrew C. Hooker, Chris H. Greene, William Clark
The response of a hydrogen atom to a perturbative electric field is presented from a classical viewpoint. We find classical energy shifts in the hydrogen atom in situations that correspond to both the linear and quadratic Stark effects. We then compare these energy shifts to the exact quantum-mechanical values for the Stark effect. We find that the linear Stark effect can be accurately reproduced classically (given the correct initial conditions). In contrast, quantum-mechanical results for the quadratic Stark effect cannot be accurately reproduced classically, except in the correspondence principle limit of large principal quantum numbers n.
Physical Review A•Jun 1, 1997•14 citations